Samford University will hold its annual High School Communications Workshop for students and advisors Thursday, Sept. 13. The event is sponsored by Samford's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Brett Blackledge, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The Birmingham News, will give the keynote address at 9:15 a.m. His topic will be "Investigating Corruption in a New Media Age."
The day's program w ill include how-to writing, editing and production workshops for students, and separate sessions for teachers.
Morning sessions will cover writing for newspaper, magazine, Web, sports and television. Speakers are: Tiffany Ray, The Birmingham News; Billy Simms, Cooking Light; Garrett Lane, Southern Progress Digital; Ray Melick, The Birmingham News; and Chris Pollone, WVTM TV.
Afternoon sessions will cover newspaper and magazine layout, Web design, photojournalism and television production. Speakers are Napo Monasterio, The Birmingham News; Donovan Harris, The Progressive Farmer; Andy Evans, Man in the Maze Marketing; Tamika Moore, The Birmingham News; and Scarlet Thompson, former Fox 6 producer.
Several sessions are designed for advisors. Topics and speakers are: legal issues, Samford journalism and mass communication chair Dr. Bernie Ankney; newspaper review, Samford media relations director Bill Nunnelley and Associated Press Managing Editors projects director Carol Nunnelley; and television review, Samford JMC professor Dr. Jon Clemmensen.
Cost is $4 per student. Teachers attend free. Registration check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. at Brock Recital Hall. The program will end at 2 p.m. Lunch can be purchased on campus. Advance registration is requested by Monday, Sept. 10. For information, call the Samford JMC department at (205) 726-2465.