Faculty and friends bid fond farewell to Charles Flippen
January 4, 2010
Faculty, staff, friends, family and former colleagues gathered to honor Dr. Charlie Flippen on October 10, 2009 at Bluestone Restaurant in Timonium, Md.
Flippen, the former MCCS department chair and professor of Journalism and New Media, retired during the summer of 2009 after more than 30 years of dedication to Towson University.
Nearly 50 attendees had the chance to thank Flippen for his hard work.
“Charlie Flippen personified all of the qualities critical to being an emblematic chair: hard work, good judgment and integrity,” Professor Rick Vatz said.
Student recognition banquet sets turnout record
June 5, 2009
The MCCS department honored outstanding juniors and seniors on May 1, 2009, at the annual Student Recognition Banquet. With more than 230 people in attendance, the banquet was the largest in MCCS history.The event is a favorite event among faculty members, who have the chance to recognize the students who produce exceptional work in their classes.In order to be considered for the banquet, MCCS majors must have junior or senior standing and a GPA of at least 3.25. This year, faculty members each could choose up to three students to honor.
Journalists and students engage in lively debate on media ethics
June 3, 2009
Towson’s University Union was the site of a town hall meeting April 28, 2009, when a panel of journalism professionals engaged a group of about 75 students on how to evaluate the current state of journalism.
The event, cosponsored by the Maryland professional chapter and Towson’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, was part of a national SPJ effort to “restore the public’s faith in the press by equipping the public with tools to evaluate all forms of journalism.”
Towson’s event was one of a number of SPJ-sponsored town hall meetings held at the same time across the country to restore media credibility by increasing the dialogue between journalists and citizens.The panel, moderated by Lori Aritani, a Poynter Ethic Fellow and reporter for The Washington Post, was represented by:
- Andy Schotz, member of the SPJ Ethics Committee
- Paul Milton, Executive Editor with Patuxent Publishing
- Michelle Butt, News Director of WBAL-TV.
SPJ’s goal, as Schotz told the audience, is to engage the public so that citizens better understand why and how journalists practice their profession and, by doing so, the public will better understand the critical role the press plays in our democracy.
If judged by the turnout and lively exchanges, the event was considered very successful.“It was really an excellent evening, said Dr. Richard Vatz, a professor in the Mass Communication and Communication Studies department. “Great panelists who listened well and articulated their positions equally well. The time flew by.”
SPJ hosts field trip to the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
June 3, 2009
Towson University’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists sponsored a field trip to the Newseum on Saturday, April 4, 2009.
Students enjoyed exploring the museum dedicated to the history of news – especially because of its modern, interactive environment that actively engaged them with hand-on exhibits and audio/visual technology.The highlights of the experience, the students said, were the Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery, the 9/11 Gallery, the FBI exhibit, and the 3-D film and 4th-dimension special effects theater that takes visitors on a thrilling journey through the development of journalism in this country.
“I enjoyed learning in a fun and exciting environment, said Shavonney White, one of 24 students on the trip. “I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is well worth it.”
Denise Gordon, another Towson student, said she enjoyed the exhibits because of their authenticity. “It was definitely a trip worthwhile. Simply, wonderful!”
Due to such positive responses, Dr. Sandy Nichols, SPJ’s faculty adviser, said the students are already planning the next field trip to the Newseum in 2010.
Field trip to The Washington Post
April 15, 2008
Students and faculty who were lucky enough to make the trip to Washington on March 28 came back with lots of excitement and great ideas. Here is what some of them had to say on their blogs.
Annie Sullivan: “Overflowing with personality, Curley showed an impressive interactive slideshow of projects he has been part of in the past. Listening to him for 3 hours was like watching an exciting, educational, and downright comedic television show.”
Ryan Reed: “On the way back to campus we all discussed what we learned from the day. I believe everyone was inspired to learn and do more when it comes to online journalism. As a senior graduating in May, the trip proved to be invaluable and I plan on taking what I learned with me wherever I may end up.”
Heidi Greenleaf: “I now realize the significance of online journalism and the role it will play in the future of newspapers. Not only do I have to know how to write, take photos, blog, edit audio and video, but I also have to put all of these ideas together to create a multimedia package for whatever I’m writing about.”
Noelle Ciara: “Annie, Danielle, and I are very inspired to start our own blog-type of website for TU students. There is so much that we’re missing out on and we’ve got big plans to change it. ;-)”
Danielle Dyer: “Rob Curley jumps into all aspects of his job. No assignment is too small or unimportant. He truly makes you want to make every little, minuscule thing lavish and extravagant.”
Jon Parr: “My teachers have been incredible in showing me what skills I’ll need in the real world. But nothing could have prepared me for Rob Curley… nothing. A week later, my head is still reeling over what he showed us, what he taught us. This wasn’t a field trip to the Washington Post, it was a few hours into Curley’s mind.”
