Scripps journalism alumni return to the bricks for centennial symposium

Say yes to challenges. Be willing to fail. Get involved. Use the Bobcat network.

This and other advice was shared with Ohio University students and the Athens community at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Centennial Symposium: A Gathering of Friends on campus April 4-5 in Baker Ballroom.

Seventeen journalism alumni from the years 2013 to 2021 were back on the bricks to share their professional journeys. For some, it was their first time back on campus since commencement or since the end of their academic careers at OHIO due to the pandemic.

But all noted the experience and value to their careers from their time in the Scripps school.

“These alumni credited their success to the quality education and academic advising they received from their journalism professors along with their hands-on learning experiences working for student media, such as The Post and WOUB Public Media and the professional networking opportunities through student organizations such as Public Relations Student Society of America, the Advertising Club and Society of Professional Journalists,” said Journalism School Director Eddith Dashiell.

The alumni came from the east and west coasts and points in between. Their employers include: Insider, ESPN, dna Communications, Visa, Los Angeles Times, KING 5 in Seattle, Amazon, PHD Media, MSNBC, NFL Films, Hyype Space, WYSO Public Radio, Kentucky Lantern, TechCrunch and NewsBreak Originals Denver. They are data, artificial intelligence, food/farm, statehouse, public safety, investing and investigative reporters; cinematographers, account managers, marketing directors, business developers, content producers and corporate communication managers.

“Hearing their stories of gratitude for the skills they learned and were able to practice while at Ohio University was the validation my journalism colleagues and I needed to hear,” Dashiell said. “It was the encouragement we needed to remain dedicated to our mission to prepare our students for their chosen professions, including jobs that may not yet exist in our ever-changing media landscape.”

This event is one of several celebrating the school’s centennial — 100 years since the first journalism course was taught on Ohio University’s campus. More events are scheduled throughout the year.

The following recordings of the symposium sessions are available on YouTube:

Business: The ones who follow the money

Sports: The ones who keep score

Investigations: The ones who find the secrets

Strategy: The ones who manage the marketplace

Public Relations: The ones who speak for others

Zine Style: The ones who do long-form audio

Digital media: The ones who never unplug