Journalism

Semester in L.A.   The Journalism Department is launching an exciting new program this spring -- a Semester in Los Angeles, which will begin January 26. Students can earn 12 credit hours taking classes taught by professionals in the entertainment media in L.A.   The department will hold a special information session on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Orange Area of the Journalism Department, 33 E. Congress, 2nd floor. Stop by and learn more, or visit the link below for additional information and an application. Admission to this program is competitive, and will be based on grade point average, a written statement and review by a department selection committee. For more information visit Semester in L.A. or contact Nancy Day, 312-369-8989 * The New 2009-2010 Application is now available.* Congratulations, 2008 Graduates Outstanding seniors and master’s degree candidates were nominated by the faculty to be featured in our Commencement 2008 poster gallery. All of these graduates had earned grade point averages of at least 3.5 and performed well on professional internships and extracurricular activities. See Gallery

Valedictorian, Graduate Speaker both Journalism Students

Doreen Bartoni, right, Dean of the School of Media Arts, and Nancy Day, left, Journalism Department Chair, congratulate Megan McManama, in gray academic regalia, who was selected to give the address representing master’s degree recipients at the 2008 commencement. Brian Matos, a Broadcast Journalism major with a concentration in Radio, delivered the valedictory address. He is wearing the valedictorian medal presented to him by Columbia College Chicago President Warrick Carter. Megan worked in  Dr. Carter’s office during her graduate studies in public affairs journalism.

Alum honored by national group
Journalism alum Fernando Diaz, 29, who works for The Chicago Reporter, was named the "Emerging Journalist of the Year'' by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Diaz was honored at the NAHJ's 23rd annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Gala on September 12 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Diaz graduated from Columbia in 2004, and interned for the Chicago Reporter while working on his degree. After graduating, he became a reporter for the Arlington Heights Daily Herald, worked at The Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, New York, then returned to Chicago to join the Reporter again in 2007.

According to a story in The Chicago Reporter about Diaz' award, he was selected because of his interest in merging various media platforms, including television and Internet.