Editor Advises Future Journalists

Ispwich Chronicle Editor, Dan MacAlpine visited Gordon College last week to give his top ten tips for writing to a journalism class.

The Power of a Journalist

Journalists have played essential roles in documenting history. Throughout the Civil Rights efforts, journalists were there, writing and recording what was taking place. At the time, they did not know that someday it would be shameful history. They did not know what the importance of them doing their jobs would have someday.

The journalists who covered the movement saw something that struck them as important. Newsworthy. )Were they ever right). I have learned this semester that a journalist's loyalty is to the citizens and their obligation is to the truth. (Taken from Elements on Journalism).Journalists of this day did just that. They brought the raw reality of the struggles of African American people into the homes and hands of thousands of white Americans, leaving them no choice but to really see the issue.

Eyes on the Prize, also taught me something else about journalism. . . a journalist should never take the power they have for granted, and it never should be taken lightly. Someday, every African American who walked to make a stand, who was sprayed with fire hoses to back down and arrested for doing what was needed to have what was right, will be gone. What will be left is the journalist's work to tell their stories, to tell the history.

Gordon Alums Give Advice to Next Generation

Mariwyn Light felt God leading her in another direction. During her senior year, after just returning from Ireland, she felt a calling for something else.

Light, an '09 graduate of Gordon College, communication arts and fine arts major now attends the University of Texas El Paso studying national intelligence and security.

"I never thought I would be studying this, but you can't ignore where God is leading you," she said to a group of aspiring journalists, "many of you may feel the same way."

"No matter what you decide to do, the skills you learn in journalism will only help you," she said, "I am one step ahead of my class with our analysis writing because I know how to dig deeper to get at the heart of an issue."

Students left with her email address and hope of the same success and direction she has had. "She had her stuff together," Alyssa Maine, '11, said, "hearing her story inspired me."

Eagle Tribune writer, Jon Phelps, '08, shared his top ten tips for writing with the journalists. "You should learn something from every story you write," he said. "It's true," Jessica Figurido, '11 said, " I learn just as much from the interviewees as I do in my classes."

Ann Young didn't just speak to journalism students. "Stay in the Word," she said, "Listen to what He says."Young, a '65 graduate from Barrington College, studied Educational Psychology and used her gifts to teach missionary kids overseas. She taught from 1972 until 2008 at the Faith Academy in the Philippines.

Like many alum, Young believes she'll always be connected with the Gordon community. "I'll see you soon," she said, "whether it be here or up there," as she glanced upward.

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.