For Immediate Release
June 22, 2014
WNA Initiates the Wisconsin College Media Association to Invigorate Student Journalism Statewide
Effective college journalists require a widely varied cohort to share ideas and expertise as they practice their craft in the transforming media environment. To foster and support student news media in Wisconsin's colleges, universities and technical schools, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) announces the formation of the Wisconsin College Media Association (WCMA).
The WNA is a statewide industry group that serves 222 member newspapers and the public by working to protect basic freedoms of press, speech and the free flow of information.
"Journalists dedicate their lives to informing the public," said Holly Henschen, communications director for the WNA. "They deserve the best resources available in the most formative point in their careers - college media."
The WCMA will cultivate a statewide network of student journalists and their advisors, allowing for an inclusive, ongoing media conversation among student media groups. Free membership in the WCMA provides Wisconsin's college journalists with opportunities including scholarships, internships, Better Newspaper Contest participation and a wide variety of educational opportunities, including an annual college convention.
"A lot college journalists say that regardless of where they go and what they do, their experiences with student media have been vitally important in helping them succeed," said Vincent Filak, associate professor of journalism at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the faculty adviser to the school's student newspaper, the Advance-Titan. "This is a great opportunity for all publications and schools to get involved in a statewide organization that seeks to better student media on campuses and student journalists as they continue to grow."
Filak, a former president of the Indiana Collegiate Press Association, will serve as the first president of the WCMA. Linda Barrington, executive director of the Kettle Moraine Press Association and co-adviser to Mount Mary University in Milwaukee's student publication, Arches, will serve as vice president of the WCMA. The staff of the WNA will fill a permanent role on the WCMA Board of Directors in a combined secretary-treasurer-administrator position.
Several experienced Wisconsin college newspaper advisers and directors sit on the WCMA Board of Directors: Herman Bauman, member of the Board of Directors of the Daily Cardinal, a newspaper staffed by University of Wisconsin-Madison students; Bob Hanson, adviser to Milwaukee Area Technical College's MATC Times student news website; Doug Kirchberg, student publications coordinator at Madison College and advisor to its student newspaper, The Clarion; and Laura Otto, co-adviser to Arches at Mount Mary University and chair of the school's English Department.
The constitution of the WCMA provides for four at-large directors and one director each from schools grouped into four classes of educational institutions: public, private, 4-year and 2-year. Advisors interested in serving on the WCMA Board of Directors can contact Filak at filakv@uwosh.edu or 920.216.7907.
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association, established in 1853, is among the world's oldest press associations. Created by and for Wisconsin's newspapers, the WNA (WNAnews.com) exists to strengthen the newspaper industry, enhance public understanding of the role of newspapers, and protect basic freedoms of press, speech and the free flow of information. WNA is the single point-of-contact for working with newspapers in Wisconsin. In addition to serving 222 member newspapers (31 dailies and 191 weeklies), WNA serves advertisers through advertising placement programs (Customized Newspaper Advertising) and additional clients through YourNewsTracker.com (news tracking and release services).
