College Celebrates Day of Peace

For International Day of Peace, students looked beyond Gordon College's bubble to expose themselves to the struggles and unrest around the world. “It’s comforting to know that despite the bubble, we recognize International Day of Peace, to honor something we are all fighting for and to remind us of other people’s struggles,” said Amelia Annis, 22.

One event to remind students of what's outside their small community was the opportunity to see the film Little Town of Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 21st. Annis, who spent most of her life in Romania before moving to the States for college, went to see the film with her class. "At first, I just went because I had to, but the more I watched, the more I found that on some level I could relate."

“In Romania, the conflict was different than the ones of the Palestinians and Jews portrayed in the movie. I dealt with gypsies. There was an inequality of gender and prejudices that affected day to day activities,” she said.

Good Night and Good Luck

By Alyssa Baxter

Journalists have a great responsibility: to inform the public- with an obligation to the truth and a loyalty to the citizens, even at the expense of their jobs on the line. Good Night and Good Luck (2005) put Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel's (authors of The Elements of Journalism) thoughts into practice throughout the film.

When CBS's lead television journalists decided to run a story revealing Junior Senator of Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy's hunt for Communists in the United States, they knew the risks and hoped for positive outcomes. They did their legwork, they found the facts, they researched, found the human element and dealt with the controversies head on. It paid off.

From deciding which stories should be run to risking everything to tell the real story-- this film shows the ethics of a journalism in a raw way.

Photo provided by http://tf.org/filmcard/112

Film can be viewed online at http://www.megavideo.com/?v=OE7FP6M2

Transfer Student Finds Balance at Gordon

By Alyssa Baxter

WENHAM, MA- When Jim Falkenstrom decided to transfer to Gordon College, he was most excited about baseball- to play, to be a part of the team that's competitive, but fun and to connect with the guys. He has not been disappointed.

Falkenstrom, a 19-year-old, sophomore from Reading, MA, feels like he has been here all along. "I have not had any trouble finding friends," he said. As a member of the baseball team, he has connected with many of the players.

"The guys love him (on the team). He immediately fit right in," said Steve Myhren, the 21-year-old captain from Vernon, NJ."I had all the same wishes for my Gordon experience. Maybe that's the reason we connected so well," said Myhren.

Falkenstrom came to Gordon to play. While he was at Messiah, he only played two innings, but at Gordon, he hopes to be more of an asset.

Along with baseball, he values his academics."My classes are challenging, but not overwhelming," he said, "it's a great balance."

He wanted to be a part of the loving community, the strong academic reputation, and the ideal location which attracts many students to Gordon. He's comforted knowing he made the right decision to transfer here.

"The campus is beautiful, the housing arrangements are exceptional, and the location is ideal," he said, "It's all the things I wish I had from the beginning. . . but, better late than never."

Photo provided

Jody Hassett Sanchez Speaks to Gordon Students

"A story must shed light on the truth," she said. Jody Hassett Sanchez was speaking of documentaries, in light of her recent film, SOLD: Fighting the New Global Slave Trade. "...it must touch the audience's heart first," she said in in the Convocation chapel on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Gordon College.

Although Sanchez spoke to students about her documentary filmmaking experience, it would benefit journalism students to apply her wisdom to their work. "In sentences, every word is intentional," she said. ". . . when someone lets me tell their story, I want to see their face as I write."

"People are hungrier than ever before-hungrier for stories. Well constructed, well told stories; stories that help make sense of the world. . . I'm (the writer) not the story; I'm the privileged to tell the story," Sanchez said.

More information on Sanchez and her film are available at http://www.jodyhassettsanchez.com.

Classic Book on Writing Remains Relevant

“Nothing so animates writing as someone telling what he thinks or what he does – in his own words,” said William Zinsser, in his book, On Writing Well, “It breathes life into writing.”

When Zinsser wrote On Writing Well, in 1976, did he ever imagine that three generations later, his book would be breathing life into millions of writer’s minds and pieces?

“Zinsser is the little man on my shoulder as I write. I know his book so well that I hear it as I write. No, I don’t need that word. . . this would be a good place for a quote,” said Jo Kadlecek, professor of Communication Arts and Senior Communications Writer of Gordon College.

“Zinsser gives me confidence in my writing. His book his practical . . .simple and clean. That is my goal for my writing,” said Jessica Burton, 21 and a senior at Gordon College.

“Zinsser’s information is relevant for every type of writing,” said Kara Bettis, 19, and a sophomore at Gordon. When writing, Bettis reminds herself of Zinsser’s advice: “Most first drafts can be cut by 50 percent without losing any information or losing the author’s voice.”

“Remove clutter,” said Maggie Lafferty, an aspiring 21-year- old journalist, “that is what I took away from Zinsser’s book. It has drastically improved my reporting.”

“The life-changing message of On Writing Well is simplify your language and thereby find your humanity,” said Zinsser on his website, www.williamzinsserwriter.com. Zinsser’s message is loud and clear and has been replayed through writer’s minds for thirty-four years.

Gordon Community Informed by Variety of News Sources

By Alyssa Baxter, Journalism Student

WENHAM, MA- Convenience seems to be Gordon community's best friend and staying informed, a must, according to the students, faculty and staff. In an environment where information is constantly streaming, community members find news to be a crucial part of their lives.

Stephen Myhren, a senior, business major, finds that yahoo.com keeps informed on a variety of topics without the hassle of scrolling hundreds of headlines. "Yahoo (.com) is my homepage. When I open my web browser, the news is right in front of me; it is convenient and easy to know what's happening. The pictures that support the stories make it easy for me to decide which ones are of interest," he said. Myhren admits that sports news is his main interest and keeping informed in the sports world requires hours of watching ESPN on TV. "It entertains me and informs me at the same time" he said.

Others seem to agree. Amelia Annis, a senior, sociology major, uses Yahoo for her main source of news. It is her homepage as well and claims the pictures jump out at her. "It’s already up on my screen so I don't have to search other news sites to find out what's going on in the world," Annis said.

Some find convenience in other ways. Abby Solberg, a senior and student design center employee, likes to access her news while on the go. She reads the The New York Times on her cell phone. No matter where she is, she takes comfort in knowing she can find out the news. Solberg, a known multi-tasker, also gets ready with CNN on her TV.

Students, however, are not the only ones with convenience as a main priority. Chris Imming, Director of Media Services uses drudgereport.com. "DRUDGE REPORT is a news aggregation website that has a bunch of sources and headlines in one place," he said. According to intermarkets.net, the exclusive ad sales firm for the company, claims, "(the) Drudge Report is the primary online source for breaking news and information for millions of people, as well as the media, and key political and influential opinion leaders with 1.9 million views on a weekday basis."

No matter where the news is coming from: which source, through which medium, to inform or to entertain, the Gordon College community is set on knowing what's happening outside of their small community. In the busyness of life, studying and errands, respected members know that staying up with the news is just as important as their studies.