Colorado State University to Host 10th Annual State Journalism Day at Lory Student Center

More than 1,400 aspiring high school journalists will be on campus Thursday, Oct. 13, for the 10th annual State Journalism Day at Colorado State University.

The all-day event at Lory Student Center, co-sponsored by CSU and the Colorado High School Press Association, brings together students from across the state to talk about their high school newspapers and yearbooks. Accompanied by nearly 90 publication advisers, the students attend more than 30 sessions on various aspects of journalism.

With the media industry going through many changes, Journalism Day gives CSU an opportunity to tell students that journalism is very much alive and well.

“The best thing for students, in my opinion, is that they get to see that there’s still a lot of opportunity in the fields of journalism and professional communication,” said Greg Luft, chairman of CSU’s Department of Journalism and Technical Communication. “They also get to witness that many others have their same interests, and that helps to build excitement for a future in communication. Great guest speakers from the profession, along with vendors, instructors and other educational materials, are available for all.”

CSU is home to the only unconditionally accredited journalism program in Colorado, and the annual conference gives students a first-hand look at the program. Journalism Day participants will have the opportunity to tour various on-campus facilities, including CSU’s Rocky Mountain Student Media: CTV and KCSU-FM studios, and offices for the Rocky Mountain Collegian and College Avenue Magazine.

“J-Day is an outstanding recruiting opportunity for CSU,” Luft said. “It happens during one of the very best times of year on campus, and it pulls a large group of teachers, college students and other school students together in a dynamic setting. High school students from across the state get a sense of the freedom they’ll have in college, and they see that opportunity in the center of campus. They also get a chance to tour CSU facilities and meet CSU faculty and staff, along with student journalists from the Rocky Mountain Student Media group.”

J-Day also includes various competitions, with winners announced during the conference.

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