Journalism students attend AOJ Convention

Students in journalism instructor Manning Pynn’s Critical Writing class were treated to an opportunity to attend the recent Association of Opinion Journalists’ national convention in Orlando. 

The convention drew 150 editorial writers, critics, columnists and bloggers from around the country to the Rosen Shingle Creek resort for three days of meetings and workshops about state, national and global issues.

The students attended courtesy of John Bersia, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and special assistant to the UCF President John Hitt for global perspectives. Bersia was also the convention chairman.

Participants heard from U.S. ambassadors, political leaders, scholars and leading journalists on issues ranging from human trafficking and race relations to climate change and the civil war in Syria.

“This was a huge opportunity to learn about critical issues facing the country and the world — from people who are on the ground observing the crises around the globe,” said journalism instructor Rick Brunson, who also attended the convention. “That our students were given such a learning opportunity by the Global Perspectives Office is beyond gracious.”

PHOTO CAPTION: NSC journalism instructor Rick Brunson, left, is pictured with Eric Deggans, TV/media critic for The Tampa Bay Times, Florida’s largest newspaper, along with students Darcie Vance and Maria Ayalde (from left). Deggans spoke at the AOJ convention about how the news media covers race, the topic of his new book, “Race-Baiter.”