NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Students will be challenged to “Capture the Vision” of the future God has for them at the 6th annual Baptist Press Collegiate Journalism Conference Oct. 5-7 at the SBC Building in Nashville, Tenn.
The conference will include addresses by accomplished journalists such as Peter Kerr of Asbury College, who was in charge of media relations for President Ronald Reagan’s funeral; Michael Longinow of Biola University; and Dawn Eden of the New York Daily News. This year’s keynote speaker is Marvin Olasky of World magazine.
“Capture the Vision is an ideal theme for our program,” said Will Hall, vice president for news services with the Southern Baptist Executive Committee and executive editor of Baptist Press. “It is a charge to Christians in journalism to find God’s purpose for their profession. It also alludes to the skill-building we offer in our workshops.
“For the photographer, graphic designer and writer, every news story is a picture of sorts that must be captured as a digital or film image, another type of visual representation or a visualization in words. We have a talented faculty who will share their technical expertise to help our students improve in their respective crafts,” Hall added.
Students may register by visiting the conference website, www.bpnews.net/journalism. Also on the website, students may view a schedule, find guidance for making hotel reservations, read about the faculty members and more. Additional information may be obtained by calling Baptist Press at (615) 782-8664.
Participants will attend general sessions — with special music by recording artist Jaime Jamgochian — as well as breakout sessions addressing specific topics related to journalism. The event will culminate in an awards banquet recognizing the top schools and individuals who entered their work in the 2006 Excellence in Journalism Competition.
“Of course, the awards banquet still figures to highlight the conference,” Hall said.
Breakout session topics will include news and feature writing, broadcasting, graphic design, feature writing, public relations and photography.
For the third year, Baptist Press will present a $1,000 scholarship for the winner of the annual President’s Award to be announced at the awards banquet. The scholarship and award will go to a candidate who has shown sustained excellence as a student journalist and who meets certain academic criteria. The deadline for entering the President’s Award competition is Sept. 15. For details, go to www.bpnews.net/journalism and click on the link for President’s Award.
This year, Baptist Press is continuing to offer during the journalism conference a portfolio review, a résumé review and an intern fair. Students may provide samples of their portfolios or résumés to be critiqued by industry experts among the conference faculty for a better chance at getting a good job upon college graduation. The intern fair will provide opportunities for students to meet exhibitors and begin networking and learning about specific career choices.
Anyone interested in soliciting students for internships at their organizations is encouraged to attend the intern fair. Contact [email protected] for more information.
“The food and fun we are planning will put this year’s event over the top,” Hall said.
Faculty for the 2006 conference include: Morris Abernathy, Union University; Bill Bangham, The Commission magazine; Andy Beachum, SBC Executive Committee; Jonathan Blair, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Erich Bridges, International Mission Board; Bob Carey, Gardner-Webb University; Scott Devore, Quark; Gary Fong, The San Francisco Chronicle; Trey Graham, pastor; Joni B. Hannigan, Florida Baptist Witness; Lindy Lowry, Outreach magazine; Terry Mattingly, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities; Deborah Evans-Price, freelance journalist; Alice Rowlands, Houston Baptist University; David Adams-Smith, a retired editor from the Chicago Tribune; Jeannie Adams-Smith, Western Kentucky University; Bruce C. Swaffield, Regent University; Doug Trouten, Evangelical Press Association; Jim Veneman, Union University; Pam Walck, Savannah Morning News; and Karen Willoughby, Louisiana Baptist Message.
“I look forward to seeing you in Nashville,” Hall said.
The awards banquet will be Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Global Cafe in Nashville.
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For more information, visit www.bpnews.net/journalism.
