Media College News

On September 30th, the WVU Reed College of Media held a launch party in the Mountainlair Ballrooms to celebrate its 75th year on campus.

The celebration featured special guests President Gordon Gee and the Mountaineer mascot, hands-on activities, U-92 FM, food and a cupcake cake shaped like the number 75.

Drew Ross, deputy director of the West Virginia Legislative Reference & Information Center (WVLRIC), will visit the school on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and Thursday, Oct. 9, to inform, promote, and help recruit students for the longstanding Spring 2015 WV Legislature Internship. Each year, students from both WVU and Marshall (approximately two from each) work closely with assigned delegates throughout the legislative session and write columns, newsletter articles, and other public relations pieces on behalf of their representatives. The students are truly immersed in the session and spend long (but rewarding) hours on the floor working with their delegates.

The paid internship specifically targets public relations students. Students who have already taken PR 324: Public Relations Writing and Applications or are currently enrolled in STCM 315: Strategic ADV & PR Writing would be best suited for this internship. Students who have not yet taken these classes will likely not possess the writing skills needed for the internship. Although the position would be of particular interest to students interested in public or governmental affairs or political communication, any dedicated public relations student would benefit from this experience. Students are required to spend the spring semester in Charleston, W.Va. They are responsible for their own living expenses; however, students may choose to live together in an apartment to cut down on costs. Charleston has several affordable housing opportunities, and the representatives can help with this aspect. The application deadline is Nov. 1, and the stipend is $5,200 for the semester.

When WVU Reed College of Media professor April Johnston set out to write the unimaginable story of Derris Lewis, an Ohio man imprisoned and later acquitted of his twin brother’s murder, she was struck by his intelligence and calm demeanor. In addition to telling the story of his wrongful imprisonment, Johnston wanted to capture Lewis’ personality for her readers. To do that, she used a non-traditional form of publishing for her latest project, Twin.

Johnston used creatavist.com, an online tool for writers, publishers and other media professional to create a multimedia experience for her audience. Not only did she use text, she collaborated with her husband, College of Media lecturer David Smith, to incorporate photos and videos into the narrative.

The Associated Press needs an election night stringer for Monongalia County. Duties include calling in cumulative results from courthouse when released by election officials and participating in a national rehearsal on Saturday, Nov 1, by making 2 toll-free phone calls. The pay is $80.
If interested, please call:

Ann Garcelon
WV Stringer Coordinator
The Associated Press
(304) 346-3772 – Office
(304) 545-7877 – Cell​

If you anticipate graduating in December 2014, you must complete the online graduation application by October 3, 2014. Students who have previously applied for graduation, but whose degree was not granted must resubmit a graduation application. If you will not complete all degree requirements by December please do not submit a graduation application at this time. Only students who will complete all requirements by the end of the fall semester will be eligible for December graduation.

Detailed below are instructions to apply for December graduation:

The Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University has become the go-to site for people interested in the future of media. On October 6, the WVU Reed College of Media will host Nieman Lab writer Justin Ellis who will share some of his insights and predictions about the industry with students.

As a writer for the Lab, Ellis reports on the transformation of the journalism industry through the development of new business models and experiments in technology. In his presentation, “What’s Next: Trends and Transformations in Modern Journalism,” Ellis will discuss Nieman Lab’s collaborative effort to determine the future of journalism and identify trends in the industry and career opportunities for future journalists.

“Students will gain insights about careers in the media from one the industry’s best observers,” said WVU Reed College of Media Dean Maryanne Reed. “Ellis’ work through Nieman Lab illuminates the challenges and opportunities facing young journalists today in the highly dynamic media marketplace.”