Fwd: Thank you, SCJ
Martha Collins
FYI:
Martha Collins
Administrative Support Specialist
Adviser, Society for Collegiate Journalists, NCSU Chapter
NCSU Student Media Authority
Campus Box 7318
321 Witherspoon Student Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7318
(919) 515-1685 office
(919) 515-5133fax
martha_...@ncsu.edu
http://www.ncsu.edu/sma
http://ncsu.edu/scj/
>>> Michael Koretzky <mic...@koretzky.com> 4/9/2011 8:55 AM >>>
Dr. Ruehlmann:
Yesterday at the weekly staff meeting of the University Press, the editor-in-chief asked me to stand up. I skeptically complied.
To the 25 students gathered there, the EIC read your letter announcing I had won the Inglehart Award for Freedom of Expression. The staff asked if it could mount the beautiful plaque prominently in the newsroom, so administrators who visit on occasion will confront it -- especially the Student Affairs dean who once declared students have too much freedom of expression.
While I willingly gave up the plaque, I kept the generous check. I want to share with you my plans for the money...
I've already emailed ACP executive director Logan Aimone and offered to donate the $500 if he'll foot the rest of the bill for a First Amendment Free Food Festival at the fall college media convention in Orlando.
The only other time this eccentric educational event was held at a convention, more than 300 students attended -- at 7 on a Friday morning.
We never had the money to repeat the festival until now. I ask for your permission to credit and honor SCJ at this one.
As Dr. Frantz wrote in her nomination materials, I have "not always been a popular figure among colleagues and administrators." Sometimes I've felt a little lonely as I try to do the advising and programming I think students will enjoy and learn from -- I've always believed the best education has a little bit of what tastes good, and a little bit of what's good for you.
So I was quite moved by this award, since I long ago figured my award-winning days were over. Honestly, I really don't care about most awards. The few plaques I've collected over the years are on the top shelf of the closet in the spare bedroom.
But this one means something because I know firsthand SCJ's commitment to a free press. I've attended SCJ meetings and watched this tiny organization make big donations to the SPLC -- and as a member of the SPLC's advisory board steering committee, I can tell you SCJ outperforms many larger organizations.
I have few regrets about getting fired as adviser at FAU. One was that I was unable to muster administration support for SCJ. I suppose, by the time I tried to make this happen, anything I supported would be opposed. However, FAU is hiring another Student Media Director, and I plan to buy that person lunch and talk up SCJ.
My apologies for this long email. I think I've abused my own freedom of expression. But I wanted you to know how much I appreciate this award.
--
Michael Koretzky
volunteer adviser, University Press
president, SPJ South Florida
president, Florida College Press Association
director, NYC12
www.spjsofla.net
www.koretzky.com/michael
www.southfloridamediajobs.com