Author Archives: Dave Poulson

Knight Center students provide real news now

Members of Capital News Service picked up this story through a network of relationships established by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. Image: Barbara Miller

By David Poulson

The journey of a recent story with roots in Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism shows how journalism schools play important news roles.

Nowadays. students, alumni and university-based news networks aren’t only about education. They play a direct role in the rise of public service, nonprofit news reporting. There are stories — like the one I’m about to tell you — that wouldn’t be reported or have the same impact without these university connections. Continue reading →

Outdoor writers award scholarships to MSU J-School students

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Two Knight Center for Environmental Journalism students have won 2019 Toyota Let’s Go Places Scholarships from the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association.

Angela Mulka and Andrew Blok recently each received a $1,200 scholarship and a two-year, non-voting membership in the organization. The group is comprised of outdoor writers, hunters, fishers, hikers and recreational boaters.

Angela Mulka

Both Michigan State University students are reporters for the Knight Center’s environmental news service, Great Lakes Echo.

Mulka has a summer communications internship with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. She plans to apply the scholarship to college expenses as she enters her senior year pursuing a degree in journalism.

Andrew Blok

Blok, a masters student in journalism specializing in the environment, has a summer internship with Environmental Health News. He plans to use the award to buy microphones and a camera to diversify into audio and visual reporting.

Going wide is going deep in journalism, academia, science, life

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David Poulson

By David Poulson

It’s a strange quirk of the news business that the most demanding job often goes to the least experienced reporter.

General assignment reporting often is what entry-level reporters endure until they land a beat, one allowing them to deeply learn a subject.

Those on general assignment lack the luxury of specialization. You have to be ready for anything. And what you don’t know, you learn.

Fast.

I well remember my first few weeks on general assignment. Continue reading →

The Society of Environmental Journalists conference helps students make the grade

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Knight Center crew at SEJ conference in Pittsburgh, from left: graduate students Gloria Nzeka, Apporva Joshi, Carol Terracina, Research Director Bruno Takahashi, Director Eric Freedman, graduate student Tony Van Witsen, Associate Director David Poulson, graduate student Jack Nissen

By David Poulson

Rubbing shoulders with the world’s top environmental journalists is a great opportunity for students each fall at the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conferences, like the one coming up this Oct. 9-13 in Fort Collins, Colo.

It’s educational, inspiring and exciting for them. And the rest of the membership benefits from the buzz and hustle that the students bring. It’s an investment in the future of the organization and in environmental journalism.

Can we get more of them there? Continue reading →