By
Kiersten Kiene
Kiene1@tritons.iowacentral.edu
Something
special is happening here at Iowa Central. Within the last two years, the
journalism and digital mass communications have really been taking off. More
students have enrolled, classes have been added, equipment has been updated,
and now, the students have been chosen to join the Society for Collegiate
Journalists.
This
is something that the programs have never been offered in the past, and Kelli
Bloomquist, coordinator for both programs is very excited about what is to
come. "The Society for Collegiate Journalists is a national organization
created specifically for student journalists. This society helps student
journalists to build leadership skills as well as to give the opportunity to
work alongside professionals currently in the field. It is also the oldest
organization designed solely to serve college journalists. The Society for
Collegiate Journalists allows students to participate in national contests as
well." Said Bloomquist, "This is a tremendous honor...Our programs
are new within the past two years, but we have seen increased enrollment and
interest from throughout the Midwest..." With more students and higher
enrollment rates, it can only get better from here.
The
Society of Collegiate Journalists just doesn't give this honor out to anyone.
"There are currently only 100 active chapters of The Society for
Collegiate Journalists in the country, so it is obviously an elite group of
institutions and students that are chosen. The only other institution in the
State of Iowa is Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Iowa Central’s new
Digital Mass Communications program and our transfer Journalism program are
considered to be outstanding in content and rigor and it is because of that
that we were asked to be part of such a great organization." Bloomquist
continued. And it doesn't stop there.
Students
are not only able to say they are apart of the Society of Collegiate
Journalists, but there are perks that come with the title. "The
opportunities now available to students as members of the Society For
Collegiate Journalists are tremendous. The students will be able to have
graduation cords specific to the Society for Collegiate Journalists. They will
be able to participate in annual national contests and awards including
Outstanding National Chapter, Outstanding Adviser, Student Journalist of the
Year, Service Award, Freedom of Expression award, etc. The students will be
able to attend the national meeting as delegates representing their chapter, as
well as to participate in chapter projects and college media days."
Bloomquist said. With the title comes a lot of respect and opportunities. “For
students, once they join, they have a lifetime membership to the Society for
Collegiate Journalists. As a program, we have yearly paperwork that must be
completed in order to remain part of the program." Bloomquist said.
Coming
in April, there will be a ceremony held to commence the chapter. "Our
first induction ceremony for charter members of the Iowa Central chapter of the
Society for Collegiate Journalists will be held on April 22nd at 7 p.m. In the
BHS Auditorium. Former senator Daryl Beall will be our guest speaker. Beall is
also a former journalist and has participated in the media as both a journalist
and as a politician." Bloomquist continued. The public is welcome to
attend.
After
a lot of hard work from not only the students, but Kelli Bloomquist as well,
there is a lot to celebrate in the journalism and digital mass communication
programs, congratulations to all of them.
