The School of Journalism and Graphic Communications students came together to encourage their peers to come and engage in news on Tuesday for News Engagement Day.
Dr. Valerie White, associate professor in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication was hopeful that students would take advantage of the SJGC organizations that were at the event.
“We would like for them to take our current event quiz, which isn’t very difficult, and take a look at the different student media that we’ll have at news engagement day and perhaps get involved,” White said.
This year marks the second annual News Engagement Day that was founded by The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication on Oct. 7, 2014. The goal is to get students and others to stay informed on what is happening in news.
AEJMC works with schools and universities; local, social, and national media; and civic, educational, and community groups to expand News Engagement Day, according to its website.
The event was hosted in the SJGC gallery. Students and faculty were invited to come and take a closer look at what SJGC organizations were available such as: The Famuan, Journey Magazine, and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Erne’e Williams, a third-year public relations student from Jacksonville, Fla., coordinated the event alongside Dr. White.
“I feel like helping to put this event together will give me experience as a student and public relations major,” Williams said.
The goal of the event was for students to stay involved in news, not just as journalism students but to encourage every student to understand and be aware.
The event brought in more than 200 students, each had the chance to win grand prizes as well as a chance to win mini prizes in a raffle.
Second-year pre-early childhood education student Danyae Hamilton of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had a positive experience coming to the news engagement event.
“I enjoyed the energy from everyone involved at the event, they knew how to get people participated and listening,” Hamilton said.
A mini demonstration was given for students to understand how to do a broadcast “stand up” in news package. FAMU TV 20, a student-run newscast was on display and different representatives from each SJGC organization were in attendance for those who wanted to inquire.
As stated on the official website; “News Engagement Day will not only contribute to an informed society, it will encourage people of all ages to explore news and raise awareness about the importance of being informed.”