JOURNALISM STUDENTS ATTEND IOWA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION CONVENTION

Students in the Journalism and Photography program at Iowa Lakes Community College attended the annual conventions of the Iowa Newspaper Association and the Iowa College Media Association on Feb. 1-2, 2007.

Six students along with their advisor, Pam Buchholz, traveled to Des Moines. Those attending the convention were: Michele Pattison, Shirley Van Noort, Kira Helmers, Stefani Cain, Sue Christians, and Robert Berg. They attended sessions on subjects ranging from news writing rights and regulations; the use of Adobe Photoshop; Iowa Open Meetings law; advertising; and how to prepare for a successful internship.

Students mingled with professionals – both editors and publishers from newspapers throughout the state of Iowa – during casual lunches and between seminars. In many instances, the students were encouraged to apply for practicums at those newspapers.

These students earned the right to attend the conventions because of their efforts serving as managing editors of the college newspaper, The Spindrift, at Iowa Lakes. The trip is part of an annual visit to the INA convention and is funded by the Journalism Club through the sale of advertising in the student newspaper.

During the noon luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 1, the Iowa Newspaper Foundation and the Iowa College Media Association presented their annual scholarship to Michele Pattison. She is a freshman in the Journalism and Photography program and a non-traditional student.

The Journalism and Photography program is a two-year Associate in Science degree program which prepares students to enter the workforce after two years – or go on to a four-year school to complete their B.A. degree. It also offers a one-year diploma in photography. The program is based at the Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes.