Politically Motivated
By Felicia Russell (MA '07)

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They "twittered" and met celebrities, assisted big names in national news, landed exclusives, chauffeured politicians, worked for nonprofits and marched in protest. SJMC students had a front-row seat at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

Above, Rob Ryan of the CU Independent works in a DNC press tent. (Photo by William Drumm)

DNC Celebrity Moments
News-Ed major Scott Franz and Anne Hathaway


News-Ed major Brandon Springer and Josh Lucas


Newsgathering master's student Valerie Gleaton and Princess Kasune Zulu of Zambia

Dozens of SJMC students worked at the convention as interns and volunteers for nonprofits and news agencies, including The Wall Street Journal, KMGH-Channel 7, ABC News, KGNU-FM and The Colorado Statesman, among others.

For many students, this was the first time they'd had a chance to be involved in a major news event. Broadcast Production major Kasia Broussalian ('08) said her time photographing the convention for the Rocky Mountain News was a "fantastic experience with the hustle and bustle and photographers around every corner."

Junior News-Editorial major Scott Franz was one of several students who met Hollywood stars at the convention. Not only was Franz able to shadow Rocky correspondent Tobie Orr and columnist Penny Parker, he said he also somehow managed to get his picture taken with actress Anne Hathaway.

The Rocky Mountain News took full advantage of the students' familiarity with social media, text messaging and blogging. Master's students Joanna Nasar and Valerie Gleaton used cell phones to take photos and videos of protests and parties for the Rocky Web site. They also "twittered."

Twittering is a relatively new form of social media in which people post 140-character messages via text message or twitter.com. The messages then get sent to interested "followers." The idea is similar to sending a text message, but a twitter goes out to many more people.

Long hours were standard for most of the students at the DNC. "We put in 14-hour days, usually getting back to Boulder at 3 or 4 a.m. after stopping by the Rockbar on Colfax to see celebrities and debrief," Franz said.

After recovering from lack of sleep and celebrity fever, the students who attended the DNC said it was a highly rewarding experience. Based on comments to Internship Director Alan Kirkpatrick, most students who attended the convention would agree with junior advertising major Lauren Kashuk: "It was an amazing week, and I feel so privileged to have been able to be a part of it."

Over the summer, primary campaigns for both major parties provided plenty of opportunities to become involved in various ways in many parts of the county - Broadcast News major Julie Yugel was a page at the Republican National Convention - but it was the DNC and its coincidental scheduling during the first week of fall semester that brought so much SJMC student energy to bear in Denver.

Broadcast News senior Thomas Young was a runner for "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," "Good Morning America, and "World News Tonight." He was one of many students who shared space with journalism, political and entertainment giants. "I worked with Charlie Gibson, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Sam Donaldson, Cokie Roberts, Donna Brazile and George Will," he said. "I also saw Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Matt Lauer, Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Bob Schieffer, Jon Roberts, Jon King and Ted Koppel.

"It was an amazing experience and to top it off, I was offered an internship with 'This Week.' "

News-Editorial junior Brittany Sovine of the CU Independent (formerly The Campus Press) found that students didn't need to work with big media to get close to some big names.

"On Monday, August 25th, armed with my press pass, I was able to share a table in the media room with some big-time journalists," she said, including reporters from The New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek and the World Journal.

"Also, seeing Edward Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Obama and other politicians was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. However, being on the outside and interviewing those who were protesting was where the excitement of the convention was for me."

Master's student Maria Genao-Homs, a freelancer for ABC News, said she got an ongoing rush from stories breaking all around her. "It was a great experience to be in the middle of all the action," she said. "During my time at the DNC, I did get to meet former President Jimmy Carter, Representative Dennis Kucinich, Wil.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, singer John Legend and former VP Al Gore, to name a few, in addition to the ABC personalities."