SRU hosting its inaugural Rock Media Expo for high school students
The Slippery Rock University Department of Communication is hosting its inaugural Rock Media Expo, Oct. 20, as 50 students from three high schools have the opportunity to learn about industry trends and SRU’s student-run media.
Oct. 19, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Nearly 50 students from three high schools will "converge" on Slippery Rock University's campus Oct. 20 to learn about converged journalism, when SRU's Department of Communication hosts its first Rock Media Expo at the WSRU television studio at the Maltby Center and Weisenfluh Dining Hall.
Students from the newspaper, television and yearbooks staffs at Grove City, Slippery Rock and Kiski high schools will attend programs alongside students from The Rocket, SRU's independent, student-run newspaper, and WSRU-TV, the student-run television and video production company.
SRU recently renamed its journalism major "converged journalism" to reflect the industry-wide trend that is seeing professionals being required to create multimedia content as outlets merge their print, digital and broadcast platforms.
"Our students are learning their craft at a time when they can become the frontrunners in this convergence movement," said Brittany Fleming, assistant professor of communication and adviser to The Rocket and WSRU-TV. "(By hosting the Rock Media Expo), we're starting to prepare the students earlier so that they'll be better prepared."
Events planned for the Rock Media Expo include:
-Campus coverage tour, where The Rocket staff shows attendees the places where they gather campus news.
-Networking luncheon.
-Alumni panel discussion with SRU communication graduates Bridget McClure, '15, a reporter for WJAC-TV in Johnstown, and Carly Krouse, '10, the assistant sports editor at the Indiana Gazette.
-An opportunity for high school students to get a behind-the-scenes look at a live WSRU-TV broadcast.
-Rock Media Awards ceremony recognizing the best media submissions from high school students attending the expo, which were judged by SRU faculty.
Fleming said the Department of Communication is looking to grow the Rock Media Expo and continue hosting the event in future years, especially as SRU's student-run media continue to collaborate and follow the convergence model.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal |724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu