As a 1973 first-year student, I decided to major in education just like my grandmother (who attended Oxford College for Women in the early 1900s), my two teacher sisters and my mother, who was administrator at a local school.
After my very first education class in McGuffey Hall, I walked back to my dorm, moaning mentally to myself, “These are NOT my people. I'm in the wrong major. Why did I think I'd ever want to be a teacher???”
A few weeks later, a front-page blurb on The Miami Student invited anyone interested in writing, photography, copy editing, newspaper design, graphics and ads/sales to stop by the newspaper office (then in Shriver Center, second floor) for an introductory meeting.
Within 15 minutes on that legendary Wednesday evening, I knew I'd FOUND MY PEOPLE … and I never left!
I was a reporter, copy editor and editor-in-chief throughout my four years. My Miami experience – and the 42-year career that followed in journalism, content, blogging, marketing, PR and social media consulting/crisis management – was shaped immensely by my experience with The Student.
The people, the professors, the deadlines. Journalism’s ethics. The importance of asking solid questions (and even harder follow-up questions). The immense value of ending every interview with, “Is there anything I didn’t ask about that I should have?” … and the boundless thrill and energy of individual and group creativity.
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All of it was shaped and driven by The Student.
Sue MacDonald, TMS editor-in-chief 1976-77, spent 22 years as an Enquirer reporter, family/health beat writer and columnist. Her post- newspaper career included positions in web content, blogging, public relations and marketing. Today she is a freelance writer/editor, “nana” to two amazing granddaughters, volunteer and grant
writer at The Cincinnati Type and Print Museum and board member at Cincinnati Public Radio.
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‘These are my people!’
By Sue MacDonald | 1 hours agoWithin 15 minutes on that legendary Wednesday evening, I knew I'd FOUND MY PEOPLE … and I never left!
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By Bobby Goldwater | 5 hours agoMy four years with The Student were filled with indelible experiences, incredible friends and colleagues, including a young Ohio woman who later became my wife, and the inimitable opportunities to contribute to the quality of and commitment to journalism at Miami. It was inspiring and life-altering.