I had very little photography knowledge at the beginning of the course but was eager to learn more. I wanted to be criticized and really come out of the class with a new found perspective on how to approach photography.
I quickly learned photography has a lot to do with feeling. Embracing the emotional side of photography was taught in this course which I believe often gets looked over on the surface. Investing your emotions and aiming to capture the emotion of the subject in your photos was what lead me to succeed in this class and as a photographer. Every week I would push myself to shoot with the advice Professor Hawk gave us, shoot a lot and spend more time searching and experimenting with angles.
By the end of the semester I knew what settings to shoot in, what to look for and what to avoid or eliminate when shooting. I also had a collection of strong photos that were all shot with emotion and told the story of the subject.
One version of the 2018 Time Magazine’s “Persons of the Year” cover shows newsroom survivors from the June 28 shootings at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md., where Rowan alumnus Phil Davis, a reporter, was on duty but not injured. The attack left five employees dead.
In Fall 2018, Dr. Emil Steiner joined the Journalism Department at Rowan University to serve as the coordinator of the new Sports Communication and Media program and teach Sports and Online Journalism courses.
Steiner is a former editor and reporter at The Washington Post where he was a founder of The League, an NFL-focused news and discussion platform. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received a master’s in journalism and Ph.D in media and communication studies from Temple University. His research focuses on media rituals and techno-cultural convergence.
Recently he sat down with the Rowan Blog to discuss his passion for sports writing, teaching, and his research. The following is a excerpt from the Q & A:
“One of the things I noticed while teaching journalism, was that the training undergraduates got didn’t seem to match the skills I knew they would need for contemporary news reporting.
To explore that apparent disparity, I conducted numerous interviews with sports reporters and editors at media companies like ESPN,Bleacher Report, and Yahoo! Sports. I asked them all a simple question: What skills do you look for when you hire new reporters out of college?
I then conducted a content analysis of the sports journalism curricula being taught at American universities. Based on my findings I created a curriculum to ‘bridge the gap’ between what was being taught in schools and what was being sought by employers.
That curriculum is now the basis of my Sports Journalism II class here at Rowan, and it informs my philosophy for our Sports Communication & Media Program. Our researched balance of knowledge, professionalism, and practical training in contemporary media tools is what makes Rowan’s Bachelor of Sports degree unique.”
How can student journalists cover more away games?
That is the question Jaiden Campana, sports editor at The Whit, and Anthony Gabianelli, sports editor at The Montclarion, are exploring in a new collaboration between the two campus news outlets.
“I think it’s important to be able to get out of your comfort zone and collaborate or work with people you aren’t familiar with,” said Campana. “It’s definitely something that I hope happens more in the future.”
The 2018 Rowan University Journalism Department medallion and scholarship recipients: Nicole Mingo, Jaiden Campana, and Ashleigh Albert. Photo by Amanda Palma.
Rowan University journalism students presented their work and were honored at 6th annual College of Communication and Creative Arts Student Awards and Showcase on April 21, 2018.
Nicole Mingo was awarded the Claudia Cuddy Medallion for Excellence in Editing and Publishing. This award honors a student who excels in editing and/or page layout.
Ashleigh Albert, the Editor-in-Chief of The Whit, was awarded the Jack Gillespie Award for Excellence in Journalism. This medallion is given to a student who demonstrates journalism skills, commitment to quality campus publications, and dedication to the art and craft of writing.
Jaiden Campana received a Tom Stathakes Sports Media Scholarship, which recognizes the academic achievements of students with a demonstrated interest in a media career covering sports.
Also students from The Whit and the On-Camera Field Reporting class presented articles, photography, layout and design projects, and TV packages at the event.
Rowan University’s student-run newspaper The Whit took home three awards from the New Jersey Collegiate Press Association.
In the “Layout and Design” category, Justin Decker, Amanda Palma, Nicole Mingo, and Jessica Mounce won third place for the features and front cover spread.
Photo editor Nicole Mingo placed third in the “Photography” category.
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Features editor Justin Decker won second place in the “Online Video” category for his video profile of Dr. Ira Fine, a Rowan University math professor and origami artist.
The article, which was published in New Jersey Monthly, is nominated in the “Best Reporting” category alongside pieces from Philadelphia Magazine, Texas Monthly, and Seattle Met. The winner will be announced in June.
DiUlio teaches Magazine Article Writing and Online Journalism I and II.
Ashley Kalena works as a Manager of YouTube Strategy for National Geographic. She graduated from Rowan University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 2008, she earned her Master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
She will participate in a Student Alumni Association event called Sips ‘N’ Tips on Wednesday, November 8 at 6 pm in the Student Center Pit at Rowan University.
Describe your job. What do you do on a daily basis?
I manage YouTube for National Geographic. Pretty much what that means is that I write and implement the strategy for all three U.S. based channels and then act upon that strategy. I also run the content development for YouTube, which means at any given time I am working with producers, editors, production companies, and talent to make video content that’s right for the platform.
Can you share some of your work that particularly proud of?
This is going to be very hard to narrow down! Earlier this year, I executive produced a live aftershow in LA discussing the 25th anniversary of the LA Riots, with live feeds from three locations. It was hosted by Soledad O’Brien, had 11 guests who all offered different points of view on the conversation:
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Neil deGrasse Tyson multiple times on video projects. I’ve produced at least 35 videos with him. I’ve even been in a few with him! Including this one, where I played the game Heads Up with him.
In June of this year, I hosted and co-hosted two lives from Napa Valley for Get Outdoors Day. I was also the Executive Producer on these shows as well. It was a really cool experience. I put volcanic ash on my face for all to see!
What is one thing you love about your current job?
I am very creative and very organized. My job calls for both these traits so I’m constantly being pushed to challenge myself in new ways.
What is one of the biggest challenges of your current job?
One of the biggest challenges I face is not being able to control resources or budget – this comes from above me. So, I always have to get creative with how to spend the money I do have and make use of the people around me in the best possible way, because they are great resources too.
Briefly explain how you arrived at this point in your career — from Rowan University to the present?
During my last year at Rowan, the broadcast specialization was added, and I quickly realized this was the area I wanted to pursue. I took as many classes as I could that year to prepare myself. Since Rowan didn’t offer a graduate program at the time for broadcast journalism, I applied elsewhere and got accepted to Syracuse University. I received my M.S. from the Newhouse School. From there, I got offered a job in Washington DC, at Travel Channel, where I worked for two years. I then took a position at National Geographic, where I’ve been for over seven years, in various roles.
What advice do you have for aspiring journalists studying at Rowan University?
There is not set path for journalists. Storytelling can exist in many forms and on many platforms. You have to be able to adapt with technology and trends, while still staying true to yourself, your integrity and your journalistic intuition – those skills will apply to whatever role you find yourself in.
On October 13, 2017, students from Prof. Candace Kelly’s On-Camera Field Reporting course traveled to Washington, DC to report on protests and events at The White House and National Mall.
How can student journalists cover more away games?
Describe your job. What do you do on a daily basis?![IMG_7145[1]](https://i0.wp.com/rowanujournalism.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/img_71451.jpg?w=190&h=190&crop=1&ssl=1 "IMG_7145[1]")
Journalism at Rowan University 