In the Business of Good Journalism
W&L’s Reynolds Journalism Internship Program places students in newsrooms across the country, where they become fully immersed in the life of a journalist for 12 weeks.
Journalism and Mass Communications Archive (331 Stories)
W&L Outcomes: Luke Fountain ’25
After graduation, Fountain will complete a fellowship at CNBC doing business reporting for digital and television platforms.
Journalism Professor Quoted in Cardinal News Article
Patrick Walters’ comment appears in a story about the 1963 Civil Rights Movement in Danville, Virginia.
Eight W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
This round of recipients marks a record-setting Gilman Scholar cohort for W&L.
Following the Money
The Follow the Money workshop and Spring Term course bring W&L students together with business journalists from across the nation.
W&L Presents a Conversation with Reporters Russ Buettner and Sue Craig
The Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalists from the New York Times will give a public talk on March 25, followed by a book signing.
Eric Deggans Named Knight Chair in Journalism and Media Ethics at W&L
The NPR personality, journalist and media analyst will assume the position in July.
Charlotte Clymer to Deliver Institute on Media Ethics Keynote
Clymer will discuss advocacy communications in her March 19 lecture.
Journalism Panel to Examine Power and Influence Behind Sports and Media
The March 13 panel discussion at Leyburn Library will be moderated by John Miller ’77 and feature experienced sports journalists.
Brett Strohsacker ’06 Gives a Bird’s-Eye View of Super Bowl Victory
The vice president of football communications for the Philadelphia Eagles enjoys his team’s second Super Bowl victory.
Alden Wicker ’09 to Serve as the Fishback Visiting Writer at W&L
The author will deliver the Fishback Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 12, via Zoom.
High-wire Act
Whether he is trying a case or drumming with a jazz band, Curtis Joseph ’93, ’96L doesn’t miss a beat.
W&L Presents Premiere Screening of ‘Letters to Eleanore’
The Jan. 30 screening of the award-winning documentary about disability, perseverance and the story of a girl and her wheelchair is free and open to the public.
Student Organization Spotlight: WLUR
At WLUR-FM, Washington and Lee University's radio voice since 1967, students get an introduction to audio production, podcasting and more.
Meet Allison Munck ’27
Munck has pursued her filmmaking passion through class projects, summer research and the Film Society Club.
Twelve W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
Ady Dewey Co-Authors Paper in Journal of Virtual Exchange
The Reynolds Visiting Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications explores the role of laughter in cross-cultural virtual settings.
Meet Darnell Pelzer Jr. ’25
Pelzer has enjoyed connecting with others with shared interests through the Gaming Club, University Singers, SABU and the Office of Sustainability.
Student Org Spotlight: wluLEX
W&L’s student-run social media team arrived this fall ready to explore multiple social media platforms and showcase the vibrance of the Fall Term.
Impacting Lives Through Words
Veronika Kolosova ’25 has explored the liberal arts experience at W&L through campus involvement and an interdisciplinary approach to her studies.
Former Washington Post Editor to Deliver Lecture on Politics and Journalism
Marty Baron’s Oct. 1 talk is open to the public.
Meet Winnie Leahy ’25
A philosophy class Leahy’s first semester led to a passion for thinking about different perspectives and relating to others’ experiences.
Business in Barcelona
Eliza Spaht ’26 took a course on the economics of winemaking with the Council on International Educational Exchange’s Business and Culture program in Barcelona, Spain.
Aly Colón Selected for Inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who
The recently retired journalism professor was cited as a preeminent figure in the field of media ethics.
Live from the Paris Olympics
Alex Maragos ’13’s love of journalism started through the profession’s inside access to sports. He brings it full circle in covering the 2024 Paris Olympics for NBC 5 Chicago.
Turning a Vision Into Reality
Melos Ambaye ’25 is helping children in Ethiopia as part of her Shepherd summer internship.
Meet Andrew Arnold ’24
Arnold packed his four years at W&L with academic and athletic opportunities, studying abroad and pursuing his interest in broadcasting.
Professor Kevin Finch’s “Wes Bound” Documentary Garners Prestigious Recognition
The film claimed silver at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards Festival Gala on April 16.
Caleigh Wells ’17 Found Her Calling in Climate Reporting
The reporter and podcast host won a 2023 National Edward R. Murrow Award for her part in BURNED, which investigated failures by the U.S. Forest Service to protect California towns from potential high-risk wildfires.
Dee Baker Amos to Deliver Institute on Media Ethics Keynote
Baker Amos will discuss the evolutions of ethics in communications in her March 26 lecture.
Professor Kevin Finch’s Documentary Set for Wide Release on American Public Television
‘Wes Bound: The Genius of Wes Montgomery’ will begin airing nationwide Feb. 1.
[CANCELLED] Former Washington Post Editor to Deliver Lecture on Politics and Journalism
Martin Baron’s talk will be held on Feb. 13 and is open to the public.
Six W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
W&L Journalism Professor Featured in Online Publication
Blue Marble published a conversation with Aly Colón about providing balanced coverage of a crisis.
Rachel Adams-Heard ’16 wins prestigious business journalism award
The Bloomberg reporter was recognized for her work on investigative podcast “In Trust.”
W&L Outcomes: Charlotte Dross ’23
Charlotte Dross ’23 is working in public relations as a postgraduate intern at Jackson Spalding.
Catching up with Laura Lemon ’16
W&L’s campus culture — from small classes to the Speaking Tradition — gave Lemon the communication skills and confidence to succeed.
W&L Professor Leads Journalism Seminars on the Coverage of Religion
Aly Colón created and organized “Covering Faith and the Faithful” seminars for journalists in Los Angeles and New York City.
Catching up with Kathryn Young ’19
Young learned the critical skills to excel at her job from the veteran journalists in Reid Hall.
W&L Journalism and Mass Communications Professor Selected for Prestigious Fellowship
Professor Dayo Abah will dive into leadership programming designed to support a transition into higher education leadership.
W&L’s Avalon Pernell ’23 Awarded Fulbright to Germany
Pernell has been awarded a Young Professional Journalist Program Award to conduct research and gain career experience in Germany.
W&L’s Lily Mott ’23 Awarded Fulbright to the United Kingdom
Mott will pursue a master’s degree in digital media and society at Cardiff University.
The Art of: Cutting the Cord
Nancy Reinhart '00 is a midwife and health care practitioner who empowers women and families during their pregnancy.
Meet a Colleague: Mark Coddington
Mark Coddington is an associate professor of journalism.
Maximizing Her Network
Avalon Pernell ’23 credits the mentorship she received on campus as she launches her career in business journalism.
The Art Of: The Narrative
Writer and director LaKeisha Fleming ’95 is the founder of Vision 2:2 Productions.
W&L Journalism and Mass Communications Professor Receives African Diaspora Fellowship
Professor Adedayo Abah will travel to Tanzania to help build a master’s degree program in communications at the University of Dar es Salaam.
W&L Presents a Conversation with Reporters Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe
The New York Times investigative reporters will give a public talk on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, followed by a book signing.
W&L Journalism Professor Featured in Indianapolis Star
Kevin Finch is nearing completion of his film documentary on celebrated jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.
W&L Presents Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen ’86
Allen will give a public talk on the W&L campus on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater.
Summer Opportunities: Internships Abroad
Despite challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, many students were able to travel this summer for valuable professional experience in other countries.
W&L Outcomes: Jin Ni ’22
This fall, Jin Ni ’22 will pursue her master’s degree in human rights at University College London in the United Kingdom.
Exploring the Media Landscape
Lily Mott '23 is interning this summer at News Over Audio in Dublin, Ireland, where she is finding fulfillment at the intersection of politics and journalism.
Summer of Hands-On Research
Bridget Osas ’25 is researching behavioral impacts on the development of metabolic syndromes like obesity.
W&L Outcomes: Jamie Spanfeller ’22
Spanfeller will be applying her studies in sociology and strategic communication to her new role as an editorial assistant for Women's Health magazine.
W&L Outcomes: Jackson Sharman ’22
Sharman will put his degrees to use in a position on Capitol Hill.
W&L’s Colón Interviewed in PolitiFact Article
Professor Aly Colón was interviewed in an article titled “As America watched Jan. 6 hearing, Fox viewers heard Tucker Carlson’s alternate reality.”
W&L’s Janey Fugate ’15 Awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship
Fugate will use her graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation to study the migration patterns of bison in Yellowstone National Park.
Bob de Maria, W&L Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications Emeritus, Dies at 79
De Maria, a longtime professor and manager of the university’s radio station and television studio, was a beloved mentor to students and a cherished colleague and friend to many in the university community.
Journalist Brittany Hailer to Give Glasgow Endowment Reading at W&L
Hailer will give a public lecture on March 31 at 6 p.m. in Northen Auditorium inside Leyburn Library.
Meet the Professor: Bonnie Davis
Bonnie Davis is a visiting professor of journalism at Washington and Lee University
W&L Presents a Conversation with Krissah Thompson
Washington and Lee’s Aly Colón will host a conversation with Krissah Thompson from The Washington Post via Zoom on Nov. 9.
W&L Presents Public Lecture with Historian Karen L. Cox
Cox is an award-winning historian and a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians.
W&L’s Colón Interviewed in Poynter Article
Professor Aly Colón was interviewed in an article titled “Suspended from social media, Donald Trump has found a new, old way to spread falsehoods.”
Colón Publishes Article in The Conversation
Professor Aly Colón published an article describing the best practices for consuming news in The Conversation.
Smarter, Faster
In a shifting media landscape, Ted Williams ’07 and Mike Allen ’86 are focused on reigniting local journalism through a new business venture.
W&L Hosts Public Discussion with Reporter David Fahrenthold
The Feb. 24 talk, which is free and open to the public to view online, is titled “A Conversation with David Fahrenthold of the Washington Post: Unraveling the Troubled, Secretive Trump Empire.”
W&L Students Partner with Project Horizon to Make Life Skills Book
Students in Professor Dayo Abah’s Principles of Public Relations class worked with a Lexington nonprofit to make a life skills book for clients who are trying to get back on their feet.
W&L’s Locy Featured in New Netflix Series
Journalism Professor Toni Locy appears in multiple episodes of the new docuseries "Trial 4."
Elizabeth Kolbert is the Next Speaker in the Mudd Lecture Series
Elizabeth Kolbert, a staff writer for The New Yorker, will give a virtual lecture on Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
Professor Alecia Swasy Publishes Textbook on Financial Literacy
The book provides media professionals with the savvy they need to navigate the world of finance and money.
Parsing a Pandemic
Fifteen W&L faculty members and two alumnae have signed on to help teach a Fall Term course that will cover multiple aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Poynter Quotes Colón on Capitalizing B in Black
W&L journalism professor Aly Colón is quoted in a piece about a recent decision by the AP Stylebook and other journalism institutions to begin capitalizing the B in Black in articles about people and culture.
Professor Toni Locy Pens Article About R.E. Lee
In a piece published in The Nation, Locy asserts that General Robert E. Lee does not deserve to be associated with W&L.
W&L Student Appears on “Meet the Press”
Avalon Pernell, a rising sophomore from Alabama, appeared on a “College Roundtable” segment that featured college journalists interviewing the mayor of Pittsburgh.
Hannah Denham ’20 Wins National Journalism Award
The recent graduate of Washington and Lee University won a combined scholarship of $8,500 for her second-place win and article of the year award in the 60th Annual Hearst National Writing Championship.
The Beat Goes On
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, some Washington and Lee University journalism students learned that the news stops for nothing — not even a global pandemic.
Finding Her Community
When Kara Lough '20 found W&L, she found a supportive environment that allowed her to lead a magazine, study in Italy, work as a photographer and plan a career.
‘Uncharted Territory’
As city manager of New Rochelle, New York, Chuck Strome ’80 is at the center of New York's pandemic.
Alumna Shares Coronavirus Story
Kaylee Hartung '07, a graduate of the W&L journalism program, contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 while covering the outbreak in Washington State
Canceled- W&L Hosts Shannon McGregor for Public Lecture
Her talk, which is free and open to the public, is titled "Barely Legal: Political Ads, Social Media and #sponcon."
W&L Hosts ‘Women Watching Wall Street’
A panel discussion will feature six leading business journalists who cover big financial and economic stories.
Behind the Image of Mock Con
As director of communications for Mock Con 2020, Annie Lentz '20 applies her love of mass communications and politics to promote and protect a 112-year-old legacy.
W&L Hosts Public Screening of ‘Running Home’
“Running Home” tells the story of humanitarian, accomplished middle-distance runner and coach Tony Ruiz.
App Brings Mock Con into Digital Future
An all-student team has created a versatile app for Mock Con 2020, bringing ticketing, program information and image sharing onto attendees’ phones and eliminating thousands of pages of printed material.
W&L’s Coddington to Give Author Talk
Coddington’s book is titled “Aggregating the News: Secondhand Knowledge and the Erosion of Journalistic Authority.”
W&L Journalism Student Wins Hearst Award
Hannah Denham ’20 won first place in a prestigious feature writing competition for a piece she wrote during an internship at The Washington Post.
‘Finding My Place at W&L’
Senior Laura Calhoun looks back at her W&L experience and celebrates the community she's built here.
W&L Hosts Public Discussion with Margaret Sullivan of the Washington Post
The conversation will address how the news media grapples with ethics in confrontational times.
Covering Power and Money at the New York Times
Pulitzer Prize winners Susanne Craig and Rachel Abrams to visit W&L Sept. 19
The Write Stuff
Maya Lora has always wanted to be a storyteller for public good. This summer, she did just that as a reporting intern for her hometown paper, the Miami Herald.
W&L to Host Free Movie Screening in Preparation for Conference
The screening, which is free and open to the public, will advance the Lexington conference of the South Sudanese Diaspora Network for Reconciliation and Peace (SSDNRP).
Thriving On New Turf
As the only intern for the Arena Football League's communications coordinator, journalism major Jimmie Johnson '20 has been able to pitch and create his own multimedia content.
W&L Journalism Students Receive Prestigious Awards
Hannah Denham '20 and Maya Lora '20 earned awards for their reporting and writing.
W&L Journalism Students Win SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards
Students took first place in three categories in the Society of Professional Journalists’ regional college journalism competition.
W&L Hosts Marty Baron, Editor of The Washington Post
Baron became executive editor of the Post in 2013. There, he oversees print and digital news operations and a staff of more than 800 journalists.
W&L’s Leyburn Library Hosts Producer Talk Featuring Kevin Finch
Finch will give a public talk on March 20 at 4:30 p.m. on the main floor of Leyburn Library on the W&L campus.
Tolu Olubunmi ’02, One of “15 Women Changing the World,” to Speak at W&L
Olubunmi is an entrepreneur and global advocate for migrants, refugees, and internally displaced people. Her talk, free and open to the public, is entitled “When Lions Write: Innovations in Advocacy.”
W&L to Screen Finch Documentary ‘Triton: America’s Deep Secret’
Washington and Lee will host a public screening of “Triton: America’s Deep Secret” on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater on the W&L campus.
W&L Student is Finalist for Hearst Journalism Award
Hannah Denham, ’20, is one of the top 20 finalists in the Hearst Journalism Awards’ enterprise writing contest.
Washington and Lee Presents an Afternoon with Rebecca Traister
“An Afternoon with Rebecca Traister,” on Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, is free and open to the public.
Passion Points to the Perfect Profession
Hannah Denham '20 has combined business journalism with women and gender studies at W&L to create a liberal arts education that suits her interests and ambition.
Rachel Mourao to Give Public Lecture on News Organizations
In her speech, which is free and open to the public, Mourao will discuss the role news organizations play, not only in spinning news, but also in legitimizing topics and people.
Decoding Technology, Opening Doors
Women in Technology workshops introduced Ruopeng Zhang '21 and Caroline Blackmon '19 to basic web development in a collaborative and fun environment. They urge other students to take advantage of the next round of workshops.
Women Watching Wall Street
Alumnae business reporters recently visited W&L to offer advice and invite students to lean in and learn.
W&L Presents 66th Journalism Ethics Institute
The discussion will take place Nov. 9. at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater.
“Uncovering Fraud in Trump’s Empire”: A Conversation at W&L with David Barstow of the New York Times
In his talk, which is free and open to the public, Barstow will discuss his coverage of the Trump administration and other projects.
Finch Addresses Political Debates in Roanoke Times
In the op-ed, Professor Kevin Finch argues that Virginians should end the debate about debates.
Best of Both Worlds
Professor Kevin Finch, who just released a new documentary, loves that W&L faculty have “this wonderful combination of academic credentials and practical experience.”
Opening New Doors
Catherine Savoca ’19 explored the real estate development industry this summer as a sales and marketing intern in Lisbon, Portugal.
What Makes A Great Leader?
As a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Dana Bolden '89 discussed effective leadership styles with Presidents Bush and Clinton.
Faith Pinho Awarded ODK Leader of the Year for Journalism
Pinho’s award is part of ODK’s 2018 General Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year competition.
A Picture-Perfect College Experience
Ellen Kanzinger '18 provides a snapshot of the many opportunities she had to hone her photography skills at Washington and Lee.
W&L’s Colón Talks Journalism Ethics with the Associated Press
Journalism professor Aly Colón weighs in on Fox News support of Hannity.
Straughan Addresses Alumni Opening Assembly, ODK Holds Spring Initiation
ODK inducted four honorary and seven student initiates
Journalism Students Win SPJ Awards
In addition, stories by two students were chosen as finalists in the SPJ Mark of Excellence national competition.
Falchuk ’18 Awarded Fulbright to Teach in Slovak Republic
Hannah Falchuk '18 hopes to improve her cultural understanding and language proficiency in the country.
W&L’s Swasy on the Labor of Bringing a Baby into Appalachia
Swasy's piece was published in Splinter News.
‘A Good Place to Grow’
From Lexington to London, Faith E. Pinho '18 has had a vast array of experiences.
Breaking the Rules in Journalism
In a recent visit to campus, Alisha Laventure ’09, a television news anchor in Dallas, told journalism students about how a national story became personal.
Journalist and W&L Alumna to Give Society of Professional Journalist Keynote Address
Laventure will speak on the ethical journalist’s role in the modern media age.
W&L’s Colón Talks Media Ethics with Washington Post
Journalism professor Aly Colón weighs in on Sam Nunberg interviews.
Sree Sreenivasan Keynotes 65th Ethics Institute in Media
The title of his talk is “Common Sense in Uncommon Times: Lessons for the Digital and Physical Worlds.”
From Brainstorm to Billboard
Majo Bustamante '18 was a marketing and communications intern for NASA Automotriz, the company that owns the rights to sell Ford and Volkswagen in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Former Federal Reserve Bank President to give H. Parker Willis Lecture
Dr. Jeffrey Lacker, former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, will give the H. Parker Willis Lecture in Political Economy.
W&L Presents a Conversation on Race and Hope by Authors of “We Are Charleston”
The three authors of “We Are Charleston” will talk on Feb. 15 at 6:00 p.m. in Stackhouse Theatre, Elrod Commons. It is free and open to the public.
Equality and Difference Series Continues with Pulitzer Prize Winner Katherine Boo
Over the years, her reporting from disadvantaged communities in the United States and abroad has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize, a MacArthur Genius Grant and a National Magazine Award for Feature Writing.
Strohsacker ’06 Leads Eagles PR Team into Super Bowl LII
Brett Strohsacker ’06, who played soccer and majored in mass communications at W&L, has worked his way to the top of the Philadelphia Eagles PR team.
NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans to Deliver 2018 Fishback Program Talk
The title of Deggans’ talk is: “Building Bridges, Not Walls: Decoding Media's Confusing Coverage of Race and Culture.”
Taking Flight
As public information specialist for the airport in Austin, Texas, Kaela Harmon ’05 combines data analysis with creativity for the aviation industry.
Chances Behind the Microphone
Broadcast journalism opportunities have been plentiful at W&L for Ford Carson '18, but the highlight of his college career has been founding a satirical publication, The Radish.
Persistent in Pursuit of Answers
Kathryn E. Young '19 got a Reynolds Business Scholarship that allowed her to intern at her hometown newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Big Stories in the Small City
As a general assignment intern at The Roanoke Times, Rachel Hicks '19 learned how to be firm with difficult sources.
Hitting All the Right Notes
An internship at Warner Music Group in Nashville allowed Mary-Michael Teel '18 to marry her two loves: music and communications.
Jeremy Franklin ’04: Always Hungry for New Music
Jeremy Franklin has spent his life after college invested in his passion for music as the general manager of WLUR, W&L’s campus radio station.
Better Business in Boston
Katrina Lewis' business reporting internship took her to the Boston Business Journal, where she covered real estate news and development.
Falling for Filmmaking
Working for the documentary filmmaking company Ark Media allowed Claire Hoffert '18 to exercise her research muscles and learn new skills.
Putting Lessons to the Test
Caroline Blackmon interned this summer with The Dunwoody Crier in Georgia.
The World of Business Journalism
Abigail Summerville '19, a business journalism major, interned on the CNBC.com breaking news desk.
First-Year Seminars: From Poverty to the Past
Professors share the inspiration for their first-year seminars, and what they hope students will take away.
W&L Presents the World Premiere Stage Production of “1984”
Sandberg’s adaptation follows one character as he grapples with the unnerving grip Big Brother, the overpowering political party, has on Oceania.
Nelson Poynter Scholar to Keynote W&L’s 64th Ethics Institute
Steele will speak on “Reflecting Before Reacting: Why Ethics Matters.”
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Eric Eyre To Speak at W&L Nov. 8
The Journalism Department will host a conversation between Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Eric Eyre and First Amendment attorney Patrick McGinley.
W&L’s Colón Talks Fake News with PolitiFact
Journalism professor Aly Colón shared his expertise with PolitiFact's Truth-O-Meter
From the Classroom to the Capitol
Sutton Travis '19 gained a wide breadth of journalism experience as a summer intern at Texas Monthly magazine.
Author and Journalist John Farrell To Speak at W&L Oct. 2
Farrell will speak on “Richard Nixon and Donald Trump: Two American Presidents and the Politics of Grievance.”
Cultivating a Social Media Presence
Elora Fucigna '19 completed an internship in social media and marketing for Ground Floor Farm, an urban farm in her hometown of Stuart, Florida.
Summer in Shanghai
Laura Wang '19 interned for the Shell company in Shanghai, putting her communications skills to the test and making new friends along the way.
All Up In Wilmington’s Business
Elly Cosgrove '19 stayed busy this summer with internships at the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and WECT (Channel 6).
W&L to Host Pulitzer Prize-Winning Washington Post Reporter David A. Fahrenthold
Fahrenthold’s talk, titled "Journalism in the Time of Trump,” is free and open to the public.
Eric Klinenberg Opens W&L’s Questioning Intimacy Series
Klinenberg's talk, “The Sociology of Connection: From Going Solo to Modern Romance,” is open to the public.
‘The Perspective of a Real Journalist’
Matt Kaminer '18 stepped outside his comfort zone to work on some big stories during an internship with the Charlotte Observer.
Marketing in Motion Pictures
Daisy Norwood-Kelly '18 worked in marketing research for Paramount Pictures over the summer.
Focus on the Environment
Ellen Kanzinger's summer internship allowed her to work on films for the nonprofit GroundTruth Project in Boston, Massachusetts.
Taking Flight
Kaela Harmon ’05 makes the case for airports to by combining data analysis with creativity
W&L’s Colón Examines the Spread of Fake News on The Academic Minute
Journalism professor Aly Colón talks about the spread of fake news on The Academic Minute.
Entrepreneurial Journalism
Helping the Charlotte Observer figure out what, where, when and how millennials consume news.
Pulitzer-Winning Team Includes Two W&L Alumni
Michael Hudson '85 (pictured) and Scott Bronstein '93 both worked on the Pulitzer-winning Panama Papers investigation, which relied on the collaboration of some 400 journalists around the world.
Aly Colón to Lead Online Discussion Sponsored by LACOL
Register now for the LACOL Popup Discussion, You Are the New Gatekeeper of the News, led by W&L's Aly Colón
From Volunteering to Mountaineering
Whether they were doing service work in Birmingham, touring firms in NYC, or climbing an ice-encrusted mountain in New Hampshire, Washington and Lee students made the most of Washington Break.
Journalism W&L’s Swasy on How Journalists Use Twitter
Alecia Swasy, Donald W. Reynolds Chair in Business Journalism, writes about the journalists' use of Twitter.
At Home in LaLa Land
Marquita Robinson ’10 loves the uncertainty of life as a sitcom writer for “New Girl.”
Hannah Falchuk and ‘the Power of Conversation’
Hannah Falchuk's passion for journalism has her reporting both in New York City and local Rockbridge.
W&L’s Swasy to Discuss Her Book on How Journalists Use Twitter
Alecia Swasy, the Reynolds Professor of Business Journalism at W&L, will discuss her book, “How Journalists Use Twitter: The Changing Landscape of U.S. Newsrooms.”
Spreading the Love of W&L: Ashley Faulkner ‘18
Meet Ashley Faulkner ‘18, a University Ambassador with a passion for showing others why she loves W&L
W&L Hosts Panel Discussion on Challenges Facing News Media
Three nationally acclaimed journalists will participate in a discussion of the challenges facing the news media in covering the Trump administration.
Jill Geisler to Give Keynote at W&L’s 63rd Institute in Media Ethics
Jill Geisler, the Bill Plante Chair in Leadership and Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago, will deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s 63rd Institute in Media Ethics.
W&L’s Colón Offers Tips for Distinguishing Between Fact and Fiction in the News
W&L's Colón's piece, "You are the new gatekeeper of the news," was recently published on The Conversation.
The Voice of the Maritime Aquarium
Marketing maven Tina Tison ’95 is inspired by tradition and innovation.
W&L’s Reiter to Give Markets & Morals Talk on Corporate Responsibility
Sandra Reiter, associate professor of business administration at Washington and Lee University, will give a talk on Feb. 15 as part of W&L’s Roger Mudd Center for Ethics Markets and Morals series.
Jennifer Golbeck to Discuss the Digital Traces People Leave Behind
University of Maryland professor Jennifer Golbeck will speak on “Footprints in the Digital Dust: How Your Online Behavior Says More Than You Think.”
W&L’s Colón Weighs in on Use of Graphic Photos of Ambassador’s Murder
In an interview with the Christian Science Monitor, Colón points to the key questions that must be asked when determining if the graphic nature of a photograph outweighs its journalistic importance.
Witt Hawkins ’18 Receives Clinton Scholarship
Witt Hawkins ’18, a global politics major and mass communications minor from Memphis, Tennessee, received a William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship to attend the American University in Dubai.
Liz Tarry ’17, AdLib Co-Chair
"It's been exciting to serve in this role and see others get interested in the advertising field, as well as having the opportunity to spend time and plan with several fabulous members of the Williams School staff."
Isabelle White ’17, AdLib Media and Brand Strategy
"The conference is a great way to meet and network with alumni, and a leadership role with AdLib allows more opportunity to speak with and gain valuable advice from alumni in my interested field."
Journalism in a New Age
Alecia Swasy's new book tackles the impact of social media on journalism.
Journalism Professor Alecia Swasy on Media Coverage of Rural America
Alecia Swasy, Donald W. Reynolds Chair in Business Journalism, writes about the media's coverage of rural America.
“The Election and Its Meanings: An Interpretive Panel”
Washington and Lee faculty participated in a panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 17, discussing the 2016 election from a variety of perspectives.
“Markets & Morals” Speaker to Discuss Responsibilities of Business in Society
Harvard Business School professor Nien-hê Hsieh to lecture on “The Role and Responsibilities of Business in Society: Back to Basics.”
Watch Beth Macy discuss “Reporting From the Margins”
Macy, an award-winning journalist and author, spoke as part of the Fishback Visiting Writers program.
NPR Executive to Speak on Bias in Journalism
Keith Woods, vice president of diversity in news and operations at NPR, will deliver the keynote address for the 62nd Ethics Institute in Journalism.
Student Leaders: Taylor Gulotta ’17
Taylor Gulotta '17 discusses the challenges and rewards of stage managing the fall 2016 Bentley Musical "The Theory of Relativity."
German Ambassador to U.S. Headlines Institute for Honor Symposium
Peter Wittig, German Ambassador to the U.S., will speak on “German Policy Toward the European Refugee Crisis” at W&L's Institute for Honor Symposium.
W&L’s Colón Weighs in on Legality of Trump Tax Disclosure
Aly Colón, Knight Professor of Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University, recently shared his expertise in an Associate Press story titled, "Experts: No Clear Criminal Case Over Trump Tax Disclosure."
“The Timeless Lessons of the Bernie Madoff Scandal”
Award-winning financial journalist and author will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.
“Truevine” Author Beth Macy to Speak
Macy will speak on "Reporting From the Margins: 30 Years of Covering Exploitation, Greed and Race." Her talk is free and open to the public and a book signing will follow.
University of Oregon Prof. Seth Lewis to Talk about New Ways of Thinking about Journalism
Seth C. Lewis, the Shirley Papé Chair in Electronic Media in the School of Journalism and Communications at the University of Oregon, will give a talk on “Journalists, Audiences…and Bots?! New Ways of Thinking about What’s Happening with News” on Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
W&L's Colón Weighs in on Legality of Trump Tax Disclosure
Aly Colón, Knight Professor of Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University, recently shared his expertise in an Associate Press story titled, "Experts: No Clear Criminal Case Over Trump Tax Disclosure."
2016-17 Reynolds Fellow at W&L to Give Talk About Bernie Madoff Scandal
Diana Henriques, an award-winning financial journalist and author, will give a talk at Washington and Lee on Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater of Elrod Commons. The title of her speech is “The Timeless Lessons of the Bernie Madoff Scandal.”
W&L Students Will Hold Lexington Mayoral Debate
The Departments of Journalism and Mass Communications and Politics at Washington and Lee University will host a mayoral debate on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Millhiser Moot Court Room of Lewis Hall, W&L’s Law School. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Interns at Work: Janey Fugate ’15
Janey Fugate is a journalism and Romance languages major from Atlanta, Ga. She spent a summer interning as a reporter for El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish language newspaper in Miami.
Don’t Miss: The Institute for Honor
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein will deliver the keynote address for the 15th annual Institute for Honor Symposium on Friday at 4:00 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
Faculty Focus: Pam Luecke
Professor of Business Journalism .
Returning Home: John X. Miller ’77
John X. Miller '77, managing editor of Winston-Salem Journal, adds his name to the city's list of 'firsts.'
Trail Blazer: Gabrey Means ’92
Experiential marketing puts Gabrey Means '92 and her clients in unexpected places.
Inspired by Creativity: Amber Cooper ’12
Amber Cooper '12 brings her passion for creativity and communications to her marketing career.
More than Numbers: Amy Bohutinsky ’97
Zillow COO Amy Bohutinsky '97 shares her expertise with students at AdLib 2016.
Teacher and Entrepreneur: Cliff Holekamp ’96
Through teaching and practice, Cliff Holekamp '96 is reinventing St. Louis with entrepreneurship.
Interns at Work: Sara Korash-Schiff ’15
English and journalism major Sara Korash-Schiff '15 interns in book publishing in Nashville.
Interns at Work: Will Bartlett ’15
Mass communication and American history major Will Bartlett '15 interns for CBS News.
My W&L: Waringa Kamau ’15
"The greatest thing for me about the W&L journalism program is the numerous opportunities you have to succeed and keep learning."
My W&L: Drew Carlos ’15
"W&L is more than just a school, and the professors are more than just educators."
A Day in the Life: Jenna Faude ’16
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner tries her hand at brand marketing in Charleston, S.C.
My W&L: Athena Cao ’16
"In those newsrooms surrounded by professional journalists, I still emailed my professors when I needed honest advice."
Producing News: Maggie Voelzke ’15
Maggie Voelzke '15 gets her start in television as a news associate in CNN's Washington, D.C. Bureau.
Interns at Work: Leslie Yevak ’17
Journalism major Leslie Yevak interns at Fox News Channel.
My W&L: Jinae Kennedy ’16
"One word can sum up my feelings about the last three years: Grateful."
Interns at Work: Faith Pinho ’18
Journalism major Faith Pinho '18 interns for NPR News in Boston.
W&L Journalism Student Interviews Mother of Slain Dallas Police Officer
Washington and Lee journalism major Rachel Stone ’17 recently found herself reporting on one of this summer’s most heartbreaking stories. As an intern at the Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer, she was assigned to interview the mother of Lorne Ahrens, one of five police officers shot and killed in Dallas on July 7.
Erika Hagberg ’97: Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Hagberg says the philosophy at Google, where she is head of food and beverage advertising, is to avoid complacency.
Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Erika Hagberg ’97 builds relationships with customers as head of food and beverage advertising for Google.
W&L Senior Athena Cao Wins First Place for Feature Writing in National Contest
Athena (Yue) Cao, a senior from Beijing, China, has won first place for feature writing (small school division) in the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) 2015 national Mark of Excellence for college journalists.
Washington Post Correspondent Jim Tankersley to Give Public Talk
Jim Tankersley, an economic policy correspondent for the Washington Post, will give a lecture at Washington and Lee University on May 18, at 5 p.m. in the Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
W&L Journalism Ethics Professor Colón Comments on Huffington’s Conflict of Interest
Aly Colón, the Knight Professor of Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University, has contributed to the conversation about Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, and her new role on the board of directors of Uber.
Alisha Laventure ’09 Joins Channel 8 in Dallas
Alisha Laventure, a 2009 graduate of Washington and Lee University, will join Dallas’s WFAA/Channel 8 in July as a weekend anchor for the “News 8 Daybreak” morning newscast.
W&L's Colón Quoted in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Firing of Wendy Bell
Aly Colón, the Knight Professor in Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee, was quoted in a March 30 Pittsburgh News-Gazette article about the termination of award-winning television journalist Wendy Bell.
W&L's Colón Quoted in Washington Post on Cruz Allegations of a Media Conspiracy
Aly Colón, the Knight Professor in Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee, was quoted in a March 7 Washington Post article about Ted Cruz's assertion that media outlets have delayed publishing damaging exposés on Donald Trump to influence the outcome of the Republican nomination.
Media Executive Vivian Schiller to Give Keynote Lecture at 61st Institute of Media Ethics at Washington and Lee
Media executive Vivian Schiller will deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s 61st Institute of Media Ethics on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Carl Bernstein Headlines W&L’s Institute for Honor Symposium
Carl Bernstein, investigative journalist and author, will deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s Institute for Honor Symposium “The Press and the Presidency: The Battle for Public Opinion in War, Peace and the Digital Age” on March 18 at 4:15 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
Follow Me
With the 2016 presidential campaign well underway, we’ve found several Washington and Lee University alumni on social media who are either covering the campaign or part of it. If you’re a campaign staff member or a journalist covering a candidate, please let us know, and we’ll add you to the list.
Analyzing Presidential Elections
Scott Thomas, who double majored in history and journalism from Washington and Lee University in 1977, has been analyzing numbers for a long time.
“The Misfit Economy” Writer to Speak on the Art of Being an Outsider
Alexa Clay, a storyteller and researcher of underground subcultures, will speak at Washington and Lee University on Feb. 16 as the Fishback Visiting Writer. Her talk will begin at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
Lessons of the WDBJ-TV 7 Tragedy
Two key members of Roanoke’s WDBJ-TV 7 staff will visit Washington and Lee University Feb. 3 and tell their stories of the tragedy last August when two of their colleagues were shot and killed on live television.
W&L's Colón Offers Tips for Media Covering Donald Trump in The Conversation
The following opinion piece by Aly Colón, Knight Chair of Media Ethics at Washington and Lee, appeared in The Conversation, an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, on Jan. 27, 2016, and is reprinted here by permission.
Rich Murray ’71 Inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Rich Murray, a 1971 graduate of Washington and Lee University, will be inducted into the 2016 class of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Save the Press
Philanthropist Gerry Lenfest, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1953 and from its Law School in 1955, has made headlines for saving the struggling Philadelphia Inquirer and its sister publications, the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com.
Leading Scholar of Digital Journalism to Speak at W&L
Nikki Usher, an assistant professor in George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs and one of the leading scholars of digital journalism, will deliver a talk at Washington and Lee University at 5 p.m. Dec. 8, in Huntley Hall Room 221.
My W&L: Myers McGarry ’16
Myers McGarry is a mass communications major with a minor in studio art from Charlotte, N.C. She is a peer counselor and involved in Mock Convention.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editor Gilbert Bailon to Give 60th Media Ethics Keynote Address
Gilbert Bailon, editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, will deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s 60th Institute of Media Ethics on Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
My W&L: Julia Lancaster ’15
"I was lucky to start college in a supportive yet competitive program that set the precedent to succeed on and off the field."
Investigative Reporter Stephen Kurkjian to Give Talk at W&L
Acclaimed investigative reporter Stephen Kurkjian will deliver a talk at Washington and Lee University on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
Author and NYT Columnist David Brooks to speak at W&L on Oct. 1
David Brooks, an author and a bi-weekly op-ed columnist for The New York Times, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. in Lee Chapel on W&L’s campus. It is free and open to the public.
Jessica Hopper ’08: ABC News Digital Journalist
Presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz will be covered from all angles this campaign cycle by two Washington and Lee University alumnae. He’s got Rachael Slobodien (’06) (blogged about here) leading his communications staff, and Jessica Hopper (W&L ’08) covering his campaign as a digital journalist with ABC News.
Kaylee Hartung '07: Sports Beat
The Roanoke Times caught up with Kaylee Hartung to ask her how her liberal arts education at Washington and Lee prepared her for her job as a sports broadcaster.
W&L Senior Awarded Fellowship from Virginia SPJ,SDX Educational Foundation
Athena (Yue) Cao, a rising senior from Beijing, China, has been awarded one of two 2015 journalism summer fellowships from the Virginia SPJ,SDX Educational Foundation.
Heather Mangrum ’92
Heather Mangrum '92 uses her background in journalism and business to make an impact in the nonprofit sector.
Kaylee Hartung ’07: Live From the College World Series
If you've been watching the College World Series on ESPN, you might have spotted Kaylee Hartung, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2007 with a double major in politics and journalism. This week she's in Omaha, Nebraska, reporting on the 2015 Division I baseball championships.
Kate Shellnutt ’08 Blogs About the Duggar Family
Kate Shellnutt, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2008 and works for Christianity Today (CT), has been a go-to source on the Duggar Family scandal story. She’s been on CNN and quoted in the Washington Post.
W&L Student Wins Regional, National Journalism Awards
Rachel Adams-Heard, a junior business journalism major at Washington and Lee University, has won first place for general news reporting-newspaper (small school division) in Region 2 of the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2014 college journalism competition.
For Sumnima Udas ’01, Reporting on the Nepalese Earthquakes is Personal
Viewers of CNN know that award-winning reporter Sumnima Udas will cover with care any story on her beat — India. When she’s reporting on the recent earthquakes in Nepal, however, the 2001 graduate of Washington and Lee University brings extra depth, for she is a native of that country.
Mark Eastham ’84
A professor's thoughtfulness changed the course of Mark Eastham's life
Mary Childs '08 to Receive a Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award
Mary Childs, a 2008 journalism graduate of Washington and Lee University, will be honored with a Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award (TDIA) on April 24 as part of the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.
First Mellon Faculty Seminar to Focus on Human Rights in Africa
The first Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Faculty Seminar, titled "Human Rights in Africa: A Transdisciplinary Approach," will take place during the 2015-16 academic year at Washington and Lee University.
Sheri Fink, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Author, to Deliver Fishback Visiting Writer Lecture at W&L
Sheri Fink, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author who has reported on health care crises around the world, will deliver this year's Fishback Visiting Writer lecture at Washington and Lee University on March 30 at 5 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater in Elrod Commons.
Former W&L Trustee Charles Rowe Dies at 89
Charles Spurgeon Rowe '45, '50L, who served on the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1994, died on Friday, March 13, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 89.
Emmanuel Tchividjian to Speak at W&L's 59th Institute of Media Ethics
Emmanuel Tchividjian, a senior vice president and chief ethics officer at the public relations firm Ruder Finn, will give the keynote address at Washington and Lee's 59th Institute of Media Ethics on Friday, March 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
Jennifer Agiesta ’00 to Give Talk on Changing Nature of Polling
Jennifer Agiesta, director of polling and election analytics at CNN, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University, on Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. in the Hillel House multipurpose room.
W&L’s Institute for Honor Keynote Features Richard Brookhiser
Richard Brookhiser, American journalist, biographer and historian, will deliver the keynote address at the Institute for Honor Symposium "From Civil War to a Civil Society: Achieving Peace with Honor" at Washington and Lee University on March 20 in Lee Chapel.
George Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Alumnus and Honorary Degree Recipient, Dies at 97
George Evans Goodwin Jr., a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and public relations executive who received an honorary doctor of letters from W&L in 1997, died on Jan. 21 at his home in Atlanta.
Roger Mudd Receives Philanthropy Award from the Council of Independent Colleges
Roger H. Mudd, a 1950 graduate of Washington and Lee University and an award-winning journalist, received the Award for Individual Philanthropy from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) at its annual awards banquet Jan. 6 in San Diego, California.
Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder Awarded Scholarship from Florida Capitol Press Corps
Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder of Tallahassee, Florida, a junior at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded a 2014 Barbara L. Frye Scholarship from the Florida Capitol Press Corps. The scholarship is awarded to aspiring journalists.
W&L's Colón Quoted in New York Times on F.B.I.'s Investigative Tactics
Aly Colón, the Knight Professor in Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee, was quoted in an article in the Nov. 7 edition of The New York Times about the F.B.I.'s impersonation of an Associated Press reporter to catch a school bomb threat suspect.
West Wing Reports' Paul Brandus to Serve as Executive-in-Residence Nov. 17-19
In partnership with the Department of Journalism, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics will host West Wing Reports' Paul Brandus as its fall 2014 Executive-in-Residence.
Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews to Speak on “News Ethics in a Time of Terror and Violence”
Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, vice president of CBS News, will give the keynote address at the 58th Institute in Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University on Friday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
Beth Macy, author of “Factory Man,” to Speak at W&L
Beth Macy, author of the Lukas Prize-winning "Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local – and Helped Save an American Town," will speak at Washington and Lee University on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater.
Todd Smith '83 Remembered in Reid Hall
Among the many celebrations that marked the third week of May for the graduating seniors, one remembered an alumnus: the late Todd Smith '83.
W&L's Abah Wins Scripps Howard Foundation/AEJMC Grant
Adedayo (Dayo) Abah is one of six recipients of the 2014/15 social media externship grants awarded by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
W&L Announces Winners of 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the first round of students selected to receive 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants, and the second round of selections is underway.
Six Student Journalists and “Rockbridge Report” Win SPJ Regional Awards
Six Washington and Lee students and the staff of "The Rockbridge Report" have won awards in the Society of Professional Journalists' regional Mark of Excellence college journalism competition.
W&L's Sarah-Jean Vallon Awarded Fellowship for Study in Germany
Sarah-Jean Vallon, a senior mass communications major and studio art minor from Hewlett, N.Y., has received a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) fellowship. Competition for CBYX fellowships is highly competitive. Vallon was chosen from a pool of 700 applicants following interviews in February.
New Knight Professor in Media Ethics Named at W&L
Aly Colón, director of standards and practices at NBC News and assigned to Telemundo Network News, will become the next John S. and James L. Knight Chair in Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University.
Author Michael Sokolove to Give the Fishback Lecture at W&L
Author Michael Sokolove will give the Fishback Lecture at Washington and Lee University on Tuesday, March 4, at 5 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater. The title of the talk, which is free and open to the public, is "You CAN Go Home Again: A journalist's discoveries–personal, political, sociological–after returning to the once-model suburb of his childhood."
Contently's John Hazard to Give Keynote Address for W&L's 57th Journalism Ethics Institute
John Hazard, director of client services at Contently, will give the keynote address of the 57th Institute in Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University on Friday, Feb. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
Washington and Lee Elects Two New Trustees
Washington and Lee University added two members to its Board of Trustees on Friday, Feb. 7, during the winter meeting of the board: Dana J. Bolden, of Atlanta, the group communications director, finance, for the Coca-Cola Co.; and Todd L. Sutherland, of Lawrence, Kan., the president and CEO of University National Bank.
New York Times' Baquet Predicts Increase in Anonymous Sources
Dean Baquet contends that the burden is to grant anonymity out of necessity and not convenience.
New York Times’ Dean Baquet to Address W&L Journalism Ethics Institute
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and managing editor for news at The Times will address "Why the Big News Organizations and Their Anonymous Sources Matter."
Former Philadelphia Inquirer Editor to Serve as Reynolds Professor at W&L
Gene Foreman will teach courses during Washington and Lee's Spring Term.
W&L Alumna Named CNN Correspondent in New Delhi
Sumnima Udas, a 2001 graduate of Washington and Lee, has been with CNN in various roles since her graduation.
All About Interns
Today begins a three-day series of "dispatches from a busy summer" in which students in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications report on their internships.
New AP Assignment for W&L Alum
John Dahlburg '75 has been named the Benelux news editor for the Associated Press.
Richardson Presents Redenbaugh Inaugural Lecture (Audio)
Brian Richardson, the Redenbaugh Term Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at Washington and Lee, presented the lecture marking his appointment to the professorship.
Richardson to Give His Inaugural Redenbaugh Professorship Lecture
Lecture focusing on journalism education on Sept. 24 in Northen Auditorium.
Newspaper Publisher H. Brandt Ayers to Talk on Covering the South
H. Brandt Ayers, author, journalist and publisher of the Anniston (Ala.) Star, will give a talk at Washington and Lee on Monday, Sept. 16, at 5:30 p.m. in Leyburn Library's Northen Auditorium.
Washington Post Sale “Intriguing,” Says W&L Journalism Professor (Audio)
Pamela Luecke, head of the department of journalism and mass communications at Washington and Lee, is optimistic about the future of the Washington Post under its new owner.
Covering the Courts 'A Calling,' Says W&L Professor (Audio)
After covering trials for 25 years, Washington and Lee's Toni Locy wrote the book on how to cover America's courts.
W&L Alumna Founds NYC Green Blog
Earlier this month, a website that focuses on sustainability in New York City made its debut, with Washington and Lee alumna Alden Wicker as its founder and blogger-in-chief.
W&L Alum Michael McGuire on Value of Liberal Arts
The following op-ed by Michael McGuire, who graduated in May with a double major in journalism and Spanish, was published in The Baltimore Sun on Thursday, June 13, 2013, and is reprinted here by permission. A good problem to have: 'You can do anything' In quickly changing world, a liberal arts education may be more […]
Toni Locy Appears On WMRA
Toni Locy, the Reynolds Professor of Legal Reporting at Washington and Lee, appeared on NPR affiliate WMRA's "Virginia Insight" show on Monday, June 10, to discuss her new book, "Covering America's Courts: A Clash of Rights."
W&L Student Explores Media Coverage of Africa
When Waringa Kamau arrived at Washington and Lee in 2011, she had talked herself into the practicality of a business major. Her longtime love of journalism, though, tugged at her so much that she soon switched her major.
Two W&L Alumni Nominated for Loeb Awards
Two Washington and Lee journalism alums, both of whom work for Bloomberg News, are finalists in the prestigious Gerald A. Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism.
W&L's Locy's MSNBC Column on Justice Department and AP
Washington and Lee University journalism professor Toni Locy is the author of a column on MSNBC in response to reports that the Justice Department examined phone records of Associated Press reporters.
“Rockbridge Report,” W&L Students Win National Honors
The Society of Professional Journalists has named Washington and Lee's "Rockbridge Report" newscast the Best Independent Online Student Publication in the nation, and has recognized a W&L senior and three alumni for the best Online In-Depth Reporting in the country.
W&L Professor Probes Downside—and Upside—of Social Media and Boston Coverage
Washington and Lee journalism professor Claudette Artwick, who studies social media, sees upsides and downsides of social media during the Boston bombing coverage.
Society of Professional Journalists Honors W&L Students
Rockbridge Report, the multimedia newscast of Washington and Lee's department of journalism and mass communications, swept the awards at the Society of Professional Journalists' annual Mark of Excellence Awards for the organization’s Region 2.
Goodspeed '92 Talks Naval Aviation History
Washington and Lee alumnus Hill Goodspeed '92 was featured in an interview on WALA-TV (FOX10TV) for Pensacola, Fla., and Mobile, Ala., earlier this month.
Pulitzer Prize for W&L Alum John Dahlburg '75
A series of investigative stories edited by John Dahlburg, of Washington and Lee's Class of 1975, in the Sun Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., won the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for public service journalism on Monday.
Arthur Brisbane, Former Public Editor of New York Times, to Teach at W&L
Arthur S. Brisbane, a longtime journalist who most recently served as public editor of The New York Times, will be the Visiting Knight Professor of Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee University for the 2013-14 academic year.
PBS Correspondent Ray Suarez Discusses Challenges for Reporters, Audiences
Ray Suarez, the Washington-based senior correspondent for the “PBS NewsHour,” told a Washington and Lee University audience Monday that rather than talking about things that matter to the American people, too much of the national election was spent obsessing about "what Joe Biden might call 'malarkey.' "
Christopher Graves to give Keynote Address for W&L’s 55th Media Ethics Institute
Christopher Graves, CEO of one of the world’s largest public relations networks, Ogilvy Public Relations, will give the keynote address for the 55th Media Ethics Institute at Washington and Lee University.
Ray Suarez to Speak on “Media, Politics and Washington”
Ray Suarez, Washington-based senior correspondent for “The News Hour” on PBS, is the Fishback Visiting Writer at Washington and Lee University for 2013 and will present a public lecture on March 11, at 5 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater of Elrod Commons.
W&L's Locy Writes Legal Reporting Textbook
A new textbook by Washington and Lee journalism professor Toni Locy introduces students to legal reporting.
Harwood '74, Belt '72 Named to Va. Communications Hall of Fame
Washington and Lee alumni Don Belt '72 and Doug Harwood '74 will be inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in Richmond on April 11.
W&L Seniors Shannon McGovern, Keaton Fletcher Are January Generals of the Month
Washington and Lee University seniors Shannon McGovern and Keaton Fletcher will be recognized as the Generals of the Month for January.
Andrew Delbanco Inspires W&L Audience about Education on Founders' Day
Citing the current national conversation about whether or not college is worth it, Andrew Delbanco told a Washington and Lee University audience Friday that we should not lose sight of the mystery of higher education.
W&L's ODK Circle Honors Four Honorary Initiates, Inducts Undergraduate and Law Students
Washington and Lee University's Alpha Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa will recognize its new initiaties at the University's Founders Day/Omicron Delta Kappa Convocation on January 18.
Evans '07 on the Forbes List
Forbes Magazine has tabbed Washington and Lee alumna Kelly Evans, of the Class of 2007, one its annual list of 30 Under 30: Media — "the next wave of power players in the news and information..."
W&L Alumna Named AP's Director of Polling
Washington and Lee alumna Jennifer Agiesta, of the Class of 2000, is the new director of polling for Associated Press.
From Couch Potato to Rising Star: Grant Gish '04
Washington and Lee alumnus Grant Gish, the executive director of 20th Century Fox TV Animation, has been named one of Next Gen 2012: Hollywood’s Fastest-Rising Stars, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Associated Press Photo Exhibit of U.S. Presidents on Display at W&L
“The American President,” a compelling Associated Press photo exhibit portraying American presidents during memorable events in American history, currently on display in Washington and Lee University's Leyburn Library.
New York Times David Carr Addresses W&L Journalism Ethics Institute
Addressing the 54th Institute on Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University on Friday, David Carr, media and culture columnist at The New York Times, said that the time to be a journalist is now.
New York Times' David Carr to Address W&L Journalism Ethics Institute
David Carr, media and culture columnist at The New York Times, will present the keynote address of the 54th Institute on Ethics in Journalism at Washington and Lee University on Friday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
W&L Alum Lectures on Reporting for Reuters in Russia
Thomas Grove, a 2002 graduate of Washington and Lee University, will return to campus to give a lecture on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 4:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium of Leyburn Library. The title of the talk is "Our Man in Moscow: Reporting from Russia for Reuters." The event is free and open to the public. […]
Knight Poverty Journalism Conference at W&L Challenges, Aids Reporters on Poverty Coverage
Journalists from around the country gathered at Washington and Lee to discuss how to write about poverty and economic injustice during the first Knight Poverty Journalism Conference.
W&L Hosts Inaugural Knight Poverty Journalism Conference
Journalists from around the country who write about poverty and economic justice will convene at Washington and Lee University next month for the inaugural Knight Poverty Journalism Conference.
Newspapers, Politics and Critical Thinking
Washington and Lee senior Michael McGuire argues that newspapers should not endorse political candidates in an op-ed for Editor & Publisher's "Critical Thinking" series this month.
Gift of Civil War Newspapers Enriches W&L Collections and Classes
More than 150 Civil War-era newspapers have found a home in the Special Collections of Washington and Lee University’s Leyburn Library thanks to Fred Farrar, a member of W&L’s Class of 1941 and a retired teacher of journalism.
Social Media Amplified Errors in Supreme Court Coverage, Say W&L Journalism Professors
Errors in the initial reporting by two cable news networks aren't a new phenomenon, but the megaphone of social media amplified the mistakes.
W&L Names 13 Faculty to Endowed Professorships
Thirteen members of the Washington and Lee University faculty have been named to endowed professorships— two each in the School of Law and the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, and nine in the College. W&L currently has 45 endowed full professorships and 10 term professorships, which recognize worthy teachers who have made meaningful […]
Fast (and Weird) Start for One W&L Intern
Washington and Lee journalism student Michael McGuire's first assignment on his summer internship in Miami is one he won't soon forget.
Kate Shellnutt Talks Religion Reporting, Blogging
Kate Shellnutt, a 2008 graduate of Washington and Lee University, has parlayed her majors in religion and print journalism into a post at the Houston Chronicle newspaper, where she produces the “Houston Belief” religion blog and reports on religion. Her work is the subject of a wide-ranging interview about newspapers, religion reporting and social media […]
Seniors Brandon Allred, Katie Shelor Generals of the Month for May
Washington and Lee University seniors Brandon Allred and Katie Shelor will be recognized at the Generals of the Month presentation on Wednesday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. in the Marketplace in Elrod Commons. This is the final CSS presentation of the academic year. They will begin again monthly in September 2012, for the 2012-2013 year. […]
Leader in New Media, Citizen-Based Journalism to Lecture at W&L
Dan Gillmor, the founding director of the Knight Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at the Walter Cronkite School for Journalism and Mass Communication, will give the keynote address for W&L's 53rd Media Ethics Institute.
New Yorker Media Critic Auletta Describes State of the News Media (Audio)
New Yorker media critic Ken Auletta told a Washington and Lee audience that today’s journalists, faced with the uncertainty wrought by rapid technological change, must believe in themselves.
Ken Auletta Addresses W&L's 12th Institute for Honor
Ken Auletta, one of America's premier media critics, will present the keynote address to Washington and Lee University's 12th annual Institute for Honor on Friday, March 2, at 4 p.m. in Lee Chapel. The institute is exploring "The New Conversation: How Are the News Media Shaping Our Political Beliefs." The title of Auletta's speech is […]
Smith, Allen Named to Virginia Communications Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Hampden H. Smith III, Washington and Lee professor emeritus of journalism and communications, and Mike Allen, a member of W&L's Class of 1986 and currently chief White House correspondent for Politico, on their election to the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame inducts Virginia-born communicators, and persons born elsewhere who have […]
Former Post Iraq Bureau Chief Named Fishback Visiting Writer at W&L
Fishback Visiting Writer Jackie Spinner, a former Washington Post reporter who covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will present a public lecture at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, Elrod Commons.
W&L Survey Examines Internet Use in Rockbridge County
Household Internet connections in the Rockbridge area exceed the national average, but residents’ use of the latest online tools is unexpectedly low, according to a recent survey by a Washington and Lee University researcher. The survey by Claudette Artwick, associate professor of journalism and mass communications at W&L, was developed with students in her course […]
W&L's Wasserman Discusses Political Journalism on WMRA (Audio)
Edward Wasserman, Knight Professor of Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee, appeared on NPR affiliate WMRA’s “Virginia Insight” show on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, to discuss political journalism as the current presidential campaign continues to heat up. Wasserman writes a bi-weekly column for the Miami Herald and McClatchy Newspapers and blogs at ewasserman.com. Mike Grundmann, […]
W&L Professor Examines Ethical Issues for Media on Sexual Abuse Stories
The intense media coverage of the allegations of child sexual abuse at Penn State and Syracuse universities has raised questions about various ethical issues that media must confront. For Edward Wasserman, the Knight Professor of Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee University, one of the most interesting questions concerns the proper relationship between media and […]
Local History Comes Alive in “Letters to the Editor”
Residents of Lexington and Rockbridge County, will undoubtedly turn first to the index to see if they recognize the names of the letter writers in the new book The Lexington Letters: Two Centuries of Water Under the Bridge (Mariner Publishing, November 2011), which collects 200 years of letters to the editors of the local newspapers. […]
In Spain for Thanksgiving, pining for Dundalk
The following piece by Washington and Lee University junior Michael McGuire was published in The Baltimore Sun on Nov. 24, 2011, and is reprinted here with permission. By Michael McGuire SEVILLE, Spain—Here, the orange trees are the only things changing color as autumn takes its hold. The palmeras and the jasmine vines that climb the […]
Retired Richmond Times-Dispatch Editor to Address Journalism's Future
Glenn Proctor, the recently retired editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, will give a lecture at Washington and Lee University on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. in Huntley Hall 327. The talk is open to the public. Proctor has words of warning for the journalism business: “We need to take back our message.” The steps […]
Bloomberg News Chief to Explore Truth in the Age of Twitter
Matthew Winkler, the editor in chief of Bloomberg News, the global news service he founded with Michael Bloomberg, will speak at Washington and Lee University on Friday, Nov. 11, at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons. He is the keynote speaker of W&L’s 52nd Institute on Ethics in Journalism. Winkler’s talk, whose title is […]
Second Annual Nobel Symposium at W&L
The Second Annual Nobel Prize Symposium at Washington and Lee University, coordinated this year by Wayne Dymacek, professor of mathematics, will feature presentations by W&L faculty who will give background on the individuals who have won this year's Nobel Prizes and the activities that earned those honors. All sessions are open to the W&L community […]
NPR's Uri Berliner Coming to W&L for Public Talk
Uri Berliner, a deputy national editor at National Public Radio, will give a public talk at Washington and Lee University on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. in Huntley Hall 327. The title of his talk is "Risky Business: Bankers, Governments and Debt Bubbles." Unemployment, mortgage crisis, rising debt, looming Euro disaster. The current economic […]
Running with the Homeless
During her summer internship at "D Magazine" in Dallas, the Washington and Lee senior Kelsy McCraw, from Greenville, S.C., interviewed chefs and professional women bowlers, wrote about advertising and did a video with Dallas' best children's entertainer. But maybe her most memorable assignment — and most compelling story — was one that she did on […]
Mike Allen, Member of the New Establishment
The October 2011 issue of "Vanity Fair" magazine contains its annual list of movers and shakers, "The New Establishment and the Powers that Be: 2011." At Number 39 in the 50-person list of the New Establishment, right in there with Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder; Jeff Bezos, head of Amazon; and J.K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, […]
W&L to Screen Documentary on New York Times
Washington and Lee University will hold two screenings of "Page One," the 90-minute documentary about a year in the life of The New York Times on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 26 and 27, at 7 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater. The movie is free and open to the public. On Sept. 26, the screening will be […]
Journalism Prof Says “Ciao” to Italy
Doug Cumming, associate professor of journalism and mass communications at Washington and Lee, acquired some continental habits this summer. He learned to dry his clothes on an indoor clothesline, display potted geraniums in his window, and don what he calls a “Fellini” jacket and a Panama hat. He chalks up this transformation to a four-week teaching […]
Traditional Journalism Critical to Understanding Debt Crisis
Although social media seem to dominate conversations about the future of journalism, the current debt-ceiling impasse underscores the value and importance of traditional journalism, according to Pamela Luecke, a journalism professor at Washington and Lee University. "I don't mean to dismiss the power and potential of new forms of journalism," said Luecke, the Donald W. […]
Response to British Phone-Hacking Scandal Sets New Standard, Says W&L Professor
Media magnate Rupert Murdoch's decision to shut down the British tabloid News of the World in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal sets a whole new standard for the response to a newspaper's ethical lapse, according to Edward Wasserman, media ethics professor at Washington and Lee University. "It's the first time I've ever seen ethical […]
