Author Archives: Dave Poulson

New study of Great Lakes Echo as “real-world learning” for journalism students

Eric Freedman

Traditionally, journalism students gain professional experience before graduation through internships, part-time or summer jobs, and campus media.
Those avenues are often insufficient to adequately prepare them for professional workplaces and standards.

In a recently published study, Knight Center director Eric Freedman and senior associate director Dave Poulson examine two practice-based programs at the Michigan State University School of Journalism that provide that essential preparation: Great Lakes Echo, covering environmental news in eight states and two Canadian provinces, and Capital News Service covering government, politics and public policy in Michigan.
Undergrad and master’s students staff both news services. Their published and posted articles and visuals are valuable additions to their portfolios and resumes.
The study observes, “The much-bewailed downturn in the economic fate of traditional news organizations benefits these types of practice-driven, production-focused programs at journalism schools.”
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Viewing China dam through lens of progress, degradation, displacement

Steven Benson. Image: Jordan Jennings.

By DANIELLE WOODWARD
Steven Benson’s expedition to photograph China’s Three Gorges Dam did not start with a warm welcome. But initial hostility turned into a dinner invitation and later a family photo that is now among the images of China exhibited at Michigan State University.
Benson, a contemporary American photographer, recently visited the university’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism to talk about this exhibit, “The Cost of Power in China: The Three Gorges Dam and the Yangtze River.”
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Knight Center students earn top honors

Environmental journalism students Kevin Duffy, Jenna Chapman, Amanda Proscia and Danielle Woodward are among those recently recognized by Michigan State University’s School of Journalism for outstanding accomplishments. Image: Barb Miller

Eleven students affiliated with the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism are among the award winners recognized recently by Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.
They include:

Chelsea Mongeau, Edward J. Meeman award for outstanding undergraduate student in environmental journalism
Perry Parks, Rachel Carson award for outstanding graduate student in environmental journalism and also recognized as outstanding doctoral student
Danielle Woodward, Knight Center Service Award and also a National Pulliam Journalism Fellowship
Amelia Havanec, co-winner of the Len Barnes Scholarship and a Mary Adelaide Gardner Scholarship
Colleen Otte, co-winner of the Len Barnes Scholarship and a Mary Adelaide Gardner Scholarship
Kevin Duffy, co-winner of the Don Caldwell Memorial Scholarship
Amanda Proscia, co-winner of the Outstanding Masters Student award and co-winner of the Don Caldwell Memorial Scholarship
Jenna Chapman, winner of the Larry Lee Overseas Study Scholarship
Nyla Hughes, winner of the Michael A. and Sandra S. Clark Scholarship
Collin Krizmanich, winner of the Donald F. & Katherine K. Dahlstrom Scholarship
Carie Cunningham, winner of the Mickie L. Edwardson Endowed Scholarship

Information and past winners of Knight Center awards are here. Information and past winners of Knight Center scholarships are here.

Writer, picker, fundraiser, Knight Center alum gets new Nature Conservancy gig

Alice Rossignol

Knight Center graduate Alice Rossignol (MA ’11) recently accepted a Development Writer and Editor position with The Nature Conservancy in Minneapolis, where she will produce fundraising materials to advance the organization’s efforts across North America.
The move follows more than three years serving as a writer and editor for the Conservancy’s work in Michigan and the Great Lakes. During that time she helped raise millions of dollars to advance conservation initiatives that protect the region’s lands and waters.
Alice credits her tenure at the Knight Center, specifically reporting for Great Lakes Echo, as a major factor that influenced her career trajectory. Like Echo, The Nature Conservancy approaches its work through a bioregional lens, tackling issues at the scale of large, complex ecosystems like the Great Lakes rather than a single river, forest or state.
Entering the job market with this experience and perspective gave her a leg up on other candidates, she says.

Uncle Alice and the Gals. From left Brian Van Antwerp, Alice Rossignol (Knight Center, MA ’11), Brian Bienkowsk (Knight Center, MA -12), Andy McGlashen (Knight Center, MA, ’09). Jeff Gillies, (Knight Center, MA, ’11), another member of the group couldn’t make this gig.

She also recognizes the Knight Center for fostering a community of musically-inclined alumni. Before moving to the Twin Cities, Alice, Brian Bienkowski (MA ’12), Jeff Gillies (MA ’11) and Andy McGlashen (MA ‘09) founded the minor league bluegrass/old-time groups, The Apostles and Uncle Alice and the Gals.
Despite failing to top the charts and establish their own Wikipedia pages, they left at least a slight mark on the porch-picking scene of Lansing’s eastside.