The Olivet Nazarene University communication department has a wide variety of concentrations in its multimedia communication major for students to focus on that will prepare them for what the working world has to offer, and so that they can be confident in their abilities to do their job the best that they possibly can.
One of these six concentrations is multimedia journalism. The journalism concentration has a lot to offers students as they practice their journalism skills such as interviewing, writing, taking pictures and editing.
According to Olivet’s website, “The concentration in Multimedia Journalism is ideal for the student who wishes to be at the forefront of the world’s news— crafting the culture of media. Olivet journalism students sort through complex ethical issues and confront the contemporary issues of today. Students participate in a variety of journalism opportunities, including the award-winning campus newspaper, Olivet Gazette.“
Photo Credit to Hunter Overholt
Elle Marshall, the executive editor, has been one of the driving forces for what the Olivet Gazette has become. She has done a lot with setting up and creating the brand new Olivet Gazette website while ONU has rebranded from what was once known as The Glimmer Glass just this past year.
“It’s more than just a newspaper with meetings and writing,” Marshall said. “It’s really a place for people to make friends, and the upper-classmen really take the underclassmen under their wing.”
Even though most of the students that join the Olivet Gazette are Communication students, it is not a requirement to be one. Anyone is able to join in on the fun.
Another major draw for journalism students at ONU is being able to spend one of their semesters in New York as they take classes at The King’s College, of which Olivet is a partner school
According to http://www.tkc.edu, the program is “led by Wall Street Journal veteran Professor Paul Glader and New York Daily News veteran Professor Clemente Lisi, the NYC Semester in Journalism (NYCJ) program includes newsroom visits to outlets such as BuzzFeed, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and ProPublica. Students in the program have interned at outlets such as The New York Daily News, The Brooklyn Paper and Newsweek. They have heard from journalists from outlets such as The New York Times, SkyNews and Reuters. Studying with professors who are deeply rooted in Christian faith, NYCJ students cultivate their commitment to the truth and the skill to tell it well.”
King’s College is also beneficial to ONU students who want to have similar-sized classes like they have on campus. According to http://www.usnews.com, the student to faculty ratio is 13:1, which is nice for students who may prefer smaller class sizes.
Destinee Evans is one alumna who has done the NYCJ program and has been able to make the most of her opportunities while in New York. Evans did her semester in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic but did not let that stray her away from continuing to learn on the fly and build up her confidence.
Olivet Nazarene University has an abundance of different resources for students who are concentrating in Journalism to take advantage of to build their skills, whether they are on campus of not. From a student-led journalism family in the Olivet Gazette to those who are seeking an adventure in the Big Apple, ONU provides journalism students a way to further their learning in a Christ-centered way.
