NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Ericca Reynolds Clark (reynoldse@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/05/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Dr. Neil Ralston, assistant professor of journalism at Northwestern State University, recently participated in a fellowship sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE).

The seven-week fellowship consisted of a one-week seminar on newspaper industry developments at the American Press Institute in Reston, Va., work residency at a daily newspaper and a debriefing seminar preceding the AEJMC convention in Toronto.

Ralston completed his six-week fellowship at the Lexington-Herald Leader in Lexington, Ky. He spent the first three weeks reporting on general assignments and his last three weeks as sports copy editor.

"This was a great way to refresh my professional experience," said Ralston. "I recommend all journalism teachers to do this because it's a wonderful way to stay current in the classroom."

The ASNE Institute for Journalism Excellence provides an opportunity for educators to update their knowledge of innovations and challenges in newspaper journalism. Also, newspapers develop a better understanding of journalism education and establish a contact for future interchange and the recruitment of news/editorial graduates.

"Newspaper editors want to hire graduates who can report, write and use critical thinking skills, not so much technical skills," said Ralston. "I will be able to pass on what I learned to my students which will in turn, better prepare them for the work force."

"We believe it is important for all of us to remain active in our chosen fields," said Journalism Department head, Dr. Steve Horton. "Participating in internship programs such as ASNE's allows us to provide students with 'cutting edge' technology.

For more information on ASNE, visit www.asne.org.

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