Electronic Journalism Program 10th Best in U.S.
Electronic Journalism Program 10th Best in U.S.
Recognized for “In-the-Trenches Approach to Teaching”
December 17, 2013
Lyndon State College’s Electronic Journalism Arts Department has been ranked in the top ten in a survey of the best 25 journalism schools in the United States. The survey was distributed by the trade magazine NewsPro to members of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA); 1,321 respondents participated.
The University of Missouri at Columbia School of Journalism placed first in the survey. The 105-year-old “J-school” boasts an NBC/CW affiliate, the local National Public Radio station, and a Spanish-language radio program. Lyndon, with a total enrollment of 1,500, was far and away the smallest school to make the list; Missouri boasts 2,250 students in their department and a total enrollment of over 34,000. Columbia University, Northwestern University, Syracuse University, and Arizona State University are among other schools in the top 10.
According to NewsPro, “The Electronic Journalism Arts department at Lyndon State was a surprise entry in the top 10-and, like the Missouri School, favored for its in-the-trenches approach to teaching.” Lyndon is one of a handful of colleges in the county that produce and broadcast a daily televised news program staffed entirely by students.
In addition to the News7 telecasts, students in the department produce content for web, mobile, and print-based media. Together, these real world experiences form Lyndon’s Vermont Center for Community Journalism (VCCJ), the capstone activity for the department’s majors. The program has won over 80 regional and national awards in the last 10 years.
Nearly half of the NewsPro survey respondents listed their professional status as news professionals. Students, non-news professionals, and educators round out the list. One news professional explained, “I’m a graduate of Lyndon State College. The hands-on experience helped me tremendously in the broadcasting industry. I was able to start anchoring and reporting at 21-years-old. The professors are excellent. The student-run live newscast five days a week prepares future journalists.”
In a statement from the department’s faculty, they noted, “The Electronic Journalism Arts department is extremely honored to see Lyndon State College in the top 10 list of leading graduate and undergraduate journalism education programs in the United States – programs with names like Annenburg, Cronkite, Medill, Murrow, and Newhouse. The survey results verify that over the years our graduates have left Lyndon with the skills and work ethic needed to make a positive impression in the industry.”
College President Joe Bertolino added, “Here’s yet another reason I love talking about Lyndon! Hats off to all the hard working students, faculty, and staff for making this happen.”
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