Journalism Conference Planned

By Darlene Wood
College Topics Staff Writer

Having already held a very successful recruiting session in October, in which representatives from the Washington Post and Virginian-Pilot interviewed 25 prospective journalists from among Cavalier Daily staffers, Cavalier Daily managing editor Lindsay Wise and the CD Alumni Association have planned two more events for November that offer valuable career advice and networking opportunities.

On Nov. 4, representatives from the Poynter Institute, which runs professional journalism seminars, arrived from Florida for the sole purpose of training CD staffers. Wise says hopes this will become an annual, endowed event.

Following this valuable opportunity, the Sixth Annual Journalism Conference is being held Nov. 19, where a slate of award-winning and battle-scarred writers and reporters will be on hand to give realistic career advice and speak on their respective areas of expertise.

"Compared to years past, this year’s conference’s format will be more informal," said CDAA Program Director Sarah Lindenfeld. "Instead of keynote speakers, the conference will feature a panel of the participants and a question-and-answer period along with smaller workshops."

Pulitzer-prize winner Paul Moses, city editor of New York City’s Newsday, will participate on the panel, along with Sydney Trent, who has had a varied career as a reporter and editor since leaving the University in 1986. Former University President Robert O’Neil is expected to speak about his specialty, free speech.

Rounding out the panel is environmental reporter Cyril Zeneski; Mark Stencel of The Washington Post’s web site OnPolitics; April Witt, a reporter with The Washington Post; and Bruce Taylor Seeman, a national correspondent for Newhouse Newspapers and an award-winning reporter for the Virginian-Pilot.

After the informal panel discussion, workshops will be offered to CD staffers and others in the University community on topics ranging from privacy and libel law with regard to the Internet to beat reporting.