They came from as far away as California and Texas and as nearby as Barberton and Massillon.

Thirty-two high school journalism teachers from 18 states spent two weeks with Kent JMC, learning about the nitty-gritty of newspapers, along with how to better advise student publications.

The teachers-turned-students were enrolled in a 3-credit-hour, all-expense-paid workshop sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds the program through a grant to the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE).

Kent JMC was one of six universities selected by ASNE to run one of the High School Journalism Institutes. This was our third consecutive year offering the program. Candace Perkins Bowen, workshop director and head of the school's Scholastic Media Program, estimates the KSU portion of the Institute budget was around $90,000 this year.

"We have been very honored to be selected for three consecutive years to participate in the Institute," Perkins Bowen said. "This is a win-win situation for us. Teachers get excellent instruction, and we can show Kent JMC and the university to teachers from throughout the country."

Click here to see website participants produced

While in class the teachers heard from outstanding journalism and academic pros.

Portland Oregonian editor, Pete Bhatia, president of ASNE, spoke to the teachers at the opening banquet, and then addressed issues of news media credibility, values, and ethics at a workshop session the next day.

Mark Goodman, director of the Student Press Law Center in Arlington, Va., spent a day at Kent, talking about current issues and concerns in the field of high school publications.

Executive director of the Student Press Law Center Mark Goodman talks to students about the Hazelwood decision. Goodman worked with students more than six hours on the basics of scholastic press law.

Kent JMC faculty Tim Smith, Barb Hipsman, Ann Schierhorn and Roger Fidler talked to them about reporting and sources, team story planning, and the future of mass media. The institute gives a great deal of attention to issues involving media law and ethics.

Other instructors included John Bowen, H.L. Hall and Susan Hathaway Tantillo, all recently retired award-winning high school journalism teachers, from Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois, respectively.

In addition, the Akron Beacon Journal partnered with Kent JMC and provided speakers and a tour of the newspaper.

ASNE president Peter Bhatia (left), who welcomed the Institute participants at a banquet, discusses electronic publishing with after-dinner speaker Roger Fidler, director of the Institute for CyberInformation at Kent State. Photos by Candace and John Bowen.

Whitney Woods, Detroit, Mich., and Kim Warren, Salina, Kan., exchange signatures on their Diversity Bingo cards. It was a get-acquainted activity for the group early in the program.

The teachers also mixed pleasure with work. Trips to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and to Porthouse Theatre were followed by writing assignments.

Some of the teachers had journalism experience, although most didn't.

"It was a really interesting mix," Perkins Bowen said. "I'm impressed with how well the novices and the experienced teachers worked together."

Kent JMC director Jeff Fruit, who welcomed the group at a Sunday night banquet, believes the Institute is one of our most important outreach programs.

"ASNE and The Knight Foundation have identified Scholastic Media as a top priority, and our school has taken a leadership role in program development," he said. "We are fortunate to have one of the nation's top Scholastic Media educators in Candace Perkins Bowen. Her leadership has helped to leverage the School's resources and bring programs like this one to campus."

"Improving the quality of high school journalism instruction and media advising is a critical element not only in engaging students to consider careers in media-related fields, but also in raising general levels of media literacy and civic participation," he said.

"We hope to offer this summer workshop for many years to come," he declared.

Perkins Bowen said she was especially grateful for the help of two staff members of the ASNE journalism program, Senior Project Director Diana Mitsu Klos, and Project Coordinator Connie Southard.

"They, along with members of our faculty and staff and the national experts, have made this a top flight program we think the teachers will remember and benefit from for a long time."

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