$5,000 award for college journalists

College journalists can win up to $5,000 for stories they published for a school publication or website.

The Robert Novak Collegiate Journalism Award "recognizes excellence in well-sourced news stories or analytical reports in collegiate newspaper, magazine, print or online." First place winner receives $5,000.00, plane ticket to D.C. and one night in hotel for awards ceremony at the National Press Club. Second place gets $2,500 and third place wins $1,000.

Here are the guidelines:

Judges will recognize stories or series of stories that show initiative, original reporting and superior writing skills.Only one entry per person, up to 3 stories per entry. Entries must be postmarked by April 15, 2010. Entrants must be undergraduate students, currently enrolled in a college/university in the U.S. Entries must have been published in a print or on-line student publication. Entries should be news stories; commentary or editorials are not eligible. Entries must have been written between April 12, 2009 and April 12, 2010. Stories should be copied from the original publication, onto 8.5 x 11 paper. Enclose a cover letter with entrants' contact information. Must submit 5 copies of entry.

Submit Entries to:
Institute on Political Journalism
Collegiate Awards Contest
1706 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Questions may be directed to Joe Starrs, Director - Institute on Political Journalism, at jstarrs@tfas.org or (202) 986-0384.

Political journalism conference for college students

The Institute on Political Journalism invites students to attend a two-day conference, from Nov. 7-8, in Washington, D.C., for some post-election reflection and fun. Come hone your professional skills, network with working journalists, meet fellow journalism students from across the county.

Speakers will include members from the press, pundits and policy makers who were all part of this historic election season.

Panel sessions will include:

* Covering Capitol Hill: The Story behind the story
* Media Bias in Presidential Elections: Say it isn’t so!
* Sex, Lies, & Slander: Misbehaving politicians & the press who covers them
* Covering the Campaign of '08: View from the press bus
* Live from the White House!: Reporters who cover the President
* Only the Facts Please: Rumors versus sources
* Reporting with Polls: What the numbers don’t tell us
* Report Card on the Press: How well were economic & business issues covered

In addition, students will:

· Meet potential employers
· Visit Washington’s new and exciting Newseum
· Tour the U.S. Capitol Building

The conference is open to college students with an interest in journalism and politics as well as faculty members or media advisers.

The conference registration fee of $75 includes conference sessions, materials and most meals. Participants requiring overnight accommodations will be charged the discounted room rate of $75 per person per night (double occupancy) and $150 per person per night (single occupancy). Registration is limited, so register online by the early deadline of October 1 to reserve your spot and to take advantage of special discounted rates!

For more information on the conference, please contact IPJ Director Joe Starrs at jstarrs@tfas.org or (202) 986-0384.

Scholarships to D.C. summer journalism program

The Institute of Political Journalism is still accepting applications for its eight-week program in D.C. -- and has scholarships available, as well.

Basically, IPJ hooks you up with a first rate full-time journalism internship (e.g. USA Today, CNN, White House press secretary's office, etc.). You also take two night classes (worth six credits) at Georgetown University. And housing is provided.

For more info, visit:
http://dcinternships.org/ipj/about/index.asp

The program costs a few thousands dollars, but, as I said, scholarships are available.

I did this same program when I was in college, and it was a lot of fun. More importantly, it really helped my career.

-Mark Grabowski

Want to be a Washington correspondent?

Come to this...

"Breaking into the Beltway: Careers in Political Journalism"

SPEAKERS: Ken Vogel, The Politico; Dan Parks, CQ Today; Davar Ardalan, NPR’s Morning Edition; Moderator: Professor Mark Grabowski, Monmouth University

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 2:45-3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Columbia Ballroom, Holiday Inn Capitol; 550 C St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

For more info, click here.

2007-08 Presentations

This academic year, I will be speaking at the following conferences:

• Society of Professional Journalists; Oct. 6 in Washington, DC.
• Journalism Education Association; Nov. 9 in Philadelphia, PA.
• Institute on Political Journalism, Decision 2008; Dec. 1 in Washington, DC.
• Garden State Scholastic Press Association; Spring 2008 in New Jersey.

If you're in the area, stop by.