SOJ eNews

SOJ faculty, students participate in WVU events honoring veterans

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:16:00 EST

WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism students and faculty will participate in upcoming events honoring West Virginia veterans.

PR students collect veterans’ histories

Eight public relations students will participate in the “Take a Veteran to School” program in schools throughout northern West Virginia, to recognize veterans for their service and capture the stories of area veterans.

The West Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association (WVCTA), led by local cable operators Suddenlink Communications, Comcast and Time Warner Cable, brings the History™ channel’s “Take a Veteran to School Day” program to high schools throughout West Virginia. U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, helped launch the program last fall at Robert C. Byrd High School in Clarksburg, W.Va.

The student team will assist in executing the events and lead efforts to interview the participating veterans about their wartime experiences for official submission to the Library of Congress American Folklife Center Veterans History Project. In addition, the students will assist in capturing and documenting each event through still photography and video. The team’s goal is to collect 24-28 veteran stories for submission to the national project in 2009.

New section of PR 324 for Spring 2010

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:55:00 EST

Attention PR students: A new (third) section of PR 324 has been created for the Spring 2010 semester. The course will be taught by Chris Dale, Tuesdays, 6-8:50 p.m., in Room G3. Dr. Pinnell has a sign up sheet on his door, Room 314, but will need to interview each student before signing them into the class to ensure that those students who need the class to graduate on time are the ones who get into it.

Death penalty discussion to highlight launch of WVU journalism professor's new book

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:00 EST

It takes a special breed of attorney to devote a career to defending those facing the death penalty, and WVU journalism professor John Temple was intrigued by those who spend their life dealing with death.

The result is Temple’s second book, “The Last Lawyer: The Fight to Save Death Row Inmates,” published this week by University Press of Mississippi.

“The Last Lawyer” is the true story of a law firm’s fight to save a death row inmate and how an idealistic attorney, Ken Rose, and his diverse band of investigators and lawyers fight to overturn their client’s death sentence. The book chronicles Rose’s decade-long defense of Bo Jones, a North Carolina farmhand convicted of a 1987 murder.

“There are other books about death penalty cases, but I wanted to focus on the legal minds and personalities who devote their lives to this work,” Temple said. “The characters and stories I came across were even more compelling and inspiring than I’d imagined.”

In recognition of the book’s debut, the WVU College of Law and the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism will co-host a panel discussion, The Last Lawyer: A Conversation About Justice, Journalism, and the Death Penalty, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the WVU Law Center’s Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom. The panel will be moderated by WVU College of Law Dean Joyce E. McConnell and will focus on the case covered in the book, issues surrounding the morality and constitutionality of the death penalty and the journalistic process. Panelists include Temple; the book’s central figure, death penalty attorney Ken Rose; West Virginia appellate lawyer, Lonnie Simmons; and sentencing mitigation expert Jay T. McCamic.

The event, which will include a Q&A session, is open to the public. A book signing and light refreshments will follow.

Temple is an associate professor and associate dean at the School of Journalism. He spent five years as a behind-the-scenes reporter for “The Last Lawyer,” following the case and the setbacks and triumphs Rose’s team faced as they gradually unearthed evidence to help save their client’s life.

Rose is one of the few U.S. attorneys who has almost exclusively represented death row inmates his entire career. While working the case featured in “The Last Lawyer,” Rose also built the North Carolina-based nonprofit law firm, The Center for Death Penalty Litigation, which is dedicated to representing capital defendants and assisting attorneys representing persons charged or convicted in capital cases.

Simmons, a 1982 WVU College of Law alumnus, is widely recognized as one of the first lawyers in the country to use DNA testing to free an innocent person from prison. Simmons has successfully prosecuted a substantial number of appeals before the West Virginia Supreme Court, including appeals of wrongful death verdicts, employment discrimination claims, personal injury actions and criminal convictions.

McCamic is president of McCamic, Sacco, Pizzuti & McCoid, PLLC, based in Wheeling, W.Va., and is a 1984 graduate of the WVU College of Law. He was the Federal Criminal Justice Act Resource Counsel for the Northern District of West Virginia until the appointment of a Federal Public Defender in the Northern District. Since 1996, he has been the Criminal Justice Act District Representative for the Northern District of West Virginia. He has been involved in Federal Death Penalty litigation in both West Virginia and Pennsylvania, has been designated as “learned counsel” in death penalty matters and has tried federal death penalty cases to verdict in both jurisdictions.

McConnell, the William J. Maier Jr. Dean and Thomas R. Goodwin Professor of Law at the WVU College of Law, said Temple’s book provides a window into the “tragically flawed” death penalty system.

“In ‘The Last Lawyer,’ John Temple chronicles a real lawyer’s struggle to free a wrongfully convicted man whom most would have ignored,” said McConnell. “By taking us along on this journey, Temple creates a legal thriller that reads like fiction, but is real. As Ken Rose struggles to defend Bo Jones against the odds, we experience the highs and the lows of death penalty defense.”

Additional details and the link to the webcast are available at http://law.wvu.edu/lastlawyer and http://journalism.wvu.edu.

SOJ co-hosts book launch and panel discussion for Temple's "The Last Lawyer"

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:37:00 EST

Join the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism and College of Law for an event celebrating the publication of Associate Professor John Temple’s new non-fiction thriller, “The Last Lawyer: The Fight to Save Death Row Inmates.”

Temple’s book, “The Last Lawyer: The Fight to Save Death Row Inmates,” was recently published by University Press of Mississippi. It’s the true story of a law firm’s fight to save a death row inmate and how an idealistic attorney, Ken Rose, and his diverse band of investigators and lawyers fight to overturn their client’s death sentence. The book chronicles Rose’s decade-long defense of Bo Jones, a North Carolina farmhand convicted of a 1987 murder.

The Nov. 12 book launch and panel discussion, “The Last Lawyer: A Conversation About Justice, Journalism, and the Death Penalty,” will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the WVU Law Center’s Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom.

The panel will be moderated by WVU College of Law Dean Joyce E. McConnell and will focus on the case covered in the book, issues surrounding the morality and constitutionality of the death penalty and the journalistic process. Panelists include Temple; the book’s central figure, death penalty attorney Ken Rose; West Virginia appellate lawyer, Lonnie Simmons; and Jay T. McCamic, a noted legal expert on sentencing mitigation.

The event, which will include a Q&A session, is open to the public. A book signing and light refreshments will follow.

Additional details and the link to the webcast are available at http://law.wvu.edu/lastlawyer and http://journalism.wvu.edu.

Read the complete press release about the event. Download the e-flyer !

Martin Hall lost and found in room 113

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:31:00 EST

If you think you may have lost something in Martin Hall, please check the lost and found in room 113.

Washington Center for Politics and Journalism seeks interns

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:16:00 EST

The Washington Center for Politics and Journalism is accepting applications for the 2010 Winter/Spring (February-May) Politics and Journalism Semester.

During 16 weeks in Washington, students work full-time in major news bureaus. Twice a week, they gather for the central purpose of the program: 90-minute seminars on campaign, governance and interest group politics. Students pay no tuition or fees. Each receives a $3,000 stipend to help with Washington living expenses. The program is operated by a non-profit educational foundation, the Washington Center for Politics & Journalism, founded in 1988 to improve political and public affairs journalism. The Center operates from one of America’s best known political addresses, The Watergate, in offices generously provided by Atlantic Media, publishers of Atlantic Monthly and publications of the National Journal Co.

Some of the speakers form the program include: * Judy Woodruff of PBS * Former Sen. Bob Dole * Former Clinton press secretary Mike McCurry

Class hosts include: * Columnist and author Pat Buchanan * “Dean” of White House correspondents Helen Thomas * ABC “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos * Syndicated columnist George Will

For more information go to http://www.wcpj.org/. To apply go to http://www.wcpj.org/application/application2.asp. Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 6.

National Geographic Magazine seeks graphics specialists

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST

The art department of National Geographic Magazine is currently seeking two people to fill full-time positions as graphics specialists. Either of these jobs are well-suited for recent college grads, or individuals with 1-3 years of professional experience. The job description is below and you must apply at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs/bunder Job ID 3942. In addition to applying online, any interested parties may also contact Mariel Furlong, NGM Art, National Geographic Magazine at: mfurlong@ngs.org.

Summary of Position
Produce graphics and maps as needed for NGM. Collaborate with the Art Director, Design Director, Graphics Editors and Art Researcher to produce information graphics, art, maps and layouts for stories. This requires being familiar with story content and design considerations. Assist with large projects, implementing changes from editors and designers and assuring quality control. Assist Graphics Editors, Map Department staff and Art Researcher with research. Assist Art Director and Design Director with internal projects. Coordinate efforts with NGM departments including Research, Editorial, Foreign partners, Photography, Prepress for on-schedule delivery of art, graphics, maps and layouts. Managing projects toward a timely completion is a major component of this job.

Responsibilities * Assist in the production of graphics, art, maps, research, and layouts for NGM. * Help other members of the NGM Art Department with meeting deadlines and preparing files for pre-press. * Coordinate graphics, maps and layout production with other magazine departments. * Assist Art Director and Design Director with internal projects. * Archiving of art files, server organization and file handling for Foreign Partners, Image Collection and Web.

Supervision Exercised
Interns

Minimum Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, visual communication, graphic design, art, cartography, geography, or a related field preferred. One to three years of related work experienced is preferred, but new graduates are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge & Skill Requirements
An eye for clarity, elegance and accuracy in the visual display of information and typography. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Curiosity about topics covered in the magazine and the ability to grasp new subject matter quickly. Excellent Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop skills required. Knowledge of GIS software, 3D software and/or Flash are a plus. Superior organizational skills as well as the ability to multitask under the pressure of tight deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NAFTC annouces job opportunities

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:27:00 EST

Applicants for the positions listed below are being sought by the NAFTC (National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium.) These positions are located in Morgantown, W.Va., 5th in “Top 20 Small Cities” (with populations under 150,000-Inc.com), and is one day’s drive from 6 of the 8 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. The WVURC is a nonprofit affiliate of WVU.

Competitive salary and benefits packages offered. For a complete position description, more information, and in order to receive consideration for this position, applicants must apply on the WVURCHR website: http://hr.research.wvu.edu, click on the tab on the left, Employment Opportunities, find the job and then click the tab at the bottom, Apply for Job. AA/EEO/ARRA/E-verify compliant employer.

Positions include:
Communications Specialist (NAFTC222)
Odyssey Coordinator (NAFTC220)
Odyssey Coordinator Assistant (NAFTC221)
Assistant Director – Training & Curriculum Development
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Instructor
Project Manager (NAFTC219)
Project Manager (NAFTC218)
Instructional Designer (NAFTC224)
Curriculum Developer (NAFTC217)
Click on the position link to review the complete job description PDF

Sports producer wanted at Alabama's ABC 33/40

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:18:00 EST

Alabama’s ABC 33/40, in Birmingham, AL, is looking for a sports producer. Minimum 1-2 years experience producing in a TV sports department preferred. College degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or equivalent preferred. Must be able to shoot, report and edit sports material. Available to work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays. To apply, send cover letter, resume and non-returnable tape to Jean Ziegert, Director of HR, 800 Concourse Parkway #200, Birmingham, AL 35244. Fax to 205-982-3928 or e-mail text only to jeanz@abc3340.com. To visit their Website go to http://www.abc3340.com/. No phone calls please. EOE.

WVU Office of International Programs hosting multimedia competition

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:38:00 EST

The WVU Office of International Programs, in conjunction with International Education Week, is hosting its first annual multimedia competition. Students who have studied abroad are asked to design a multimedia presentation showcasing their experience. Submissions may be no more than five minutes long, and must be submitted by Nov. 15 to the OIP Office. Winning submissions will receive an iPod Touch or iPod shuffle. For more information contact the OIP Office at (304) 293-6955 or on the Web at http://internationalprograms.wvu.edu/.