J Day returns to campus Oct. 19, bringing about 1,300 high school journalists and 100 of their advisers from more than 70 high schools around the state.
J Day, presented annually by the Colorado Student Media Association, features about 50 presentations and panel discussions related to the media. This year the theme is “Free Speech, Free Press, Free People.”
“I’m excited about the range of offerings we have for the kids this year,” said Jack Kennedy, executive director of the CSMA and an instructor in CSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Communication.
Among the guest speakers will be former Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post journalist Tina Griego, who will speak on “Humanity and Humility in Covering Immigration.” Ryan Warner of Colorado Public Radio will host two sessions that will be taped for later airing on Colorado Matters: an interview with science fiction writer Connie Willis and a discussion with student journalists about the work they’re doing and how they see the future. And photographer Kenn Bisio will present “Forty Years of Photojournalism in 20 Photos.”
Adam Dawkins
Dennis Ryerson, former editor at the Indianapolis Star and the Des Moines Register, returns to J Day for a second year, and will speak on “News Ethics in the Age of Trump.”
The day-long event in the Lory Student Center will also include tours of the Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation offices and exhibits from vendors such as yearbook publishing companies and School Newspapers Online. Several other colleges and universities that have journalism and communication programs will also be on hand.
The opening session will feature remarks from CSMA’s president, adviser of the year and administrator of the year. The day concludes with the presentation of CSMA awards and the induction of the inaugural class of the All-Colorado Hall of Fame, featuring journalism programs at 15 Colorado schools, including Fort Collins High School.
The Department of Journalism and Media Communication is in CSU’s College of Liberal Arts.
Carrie Faust