The Morgan State Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) held a townhall meeting in the New Communications Room 101 on the evening of April 8. The meeting was the first of a series of events for NABJ week, and was put together to inform students on the upcoming changes that will take place within the department beginning fall 2013.
One of the biggest changes includes the move to a new school called “The Global School of Journalism.” In addition, the broadcast studio will be rebuilt with state-of–the art technology and never before offered classes. Within the department, there will only be three communications majors: mutilmedia journalism, integrated media production and Public Relations.
The event also featured a few mass media industry professionals who gave advice to current students about working in the field. Students in attendance had the opportunity to ask some Morgan alumni questions about their experiences in the field.
Bobby Holmes, one of the producers of the Marc Steiner Show, gave a passionate speech about the drive it takes to succeed in the industry. He made sure to inform students of the array of tools that were at their disposal to accomplish all of their goals. “Listening is the number one key to being a media professional. HBCU’s are all about Networking,” he said.
Co-host of the event and Mr. NABJ, Courtney Jacobs told the audience that he believed NABJ week was a great opportunity for communications students. According to Jacobs, “we want to inform while entertaining and educating the student.”
NABJ week continues with more events, such as an entertainment event called “celebrity impersonations,” being held tonight at 7 p.m., an NABJ awards show tomorrow evening, and a cook out taking place Friday afternoon.
The transition from the Department of Communication Studies to The Global School of Journalism is set to go into effect July 1. Morgan’s Chapter of NABJ did its part by making sure communications students understood the updates to the department and that their voices were heard.
