Join Reynolds School of Journalism Dean Al Stavitsky as he recaps the spring 2020 semester. This semester was unlike any other that he has seen in his 30 years of journalism education. Nevertheless, it was filled with student and faculty achievement.
(Al Stavitsky) Hi, I'm Al Stavitsky, dean of the Reynolds School. This was my 30th year working in journalism education, and I never experienced a semester like spring 2020.
Responding to the coronavirus pandemic, we pivoted after spring break to teaching and learning completely online, and we moved our administration to remote operations too. It was really inspiring to see the way that students, faculty and staff stepped up and achieved at high levels.
(Todd Felts) I am here at my home with my dog Simon who has not left my side in weeks.He's there when I'm teaching classes. He's there when I'm having Zoom conversations with my students and my colleagues.
(Claudia Cruz in Spanish) I'm here in my apartment in downtown Reno. And like all of you, I'm supporting efforts to reduce the outbreak of this virus by working from home.
(Al Stavitsky) While working remotely, we secured reaccreditation with high praise from our accrediting body.
Our students did great things. Dominique Hall was elected president of the university's student body. Andrew Mendez was honored in the top 20 of radio students nationwide in the Hearst Awards competition. Lauren Harrison was named top district presenter in the National Student Advertising Competition. Our Bateman team received an honorable mention in the National PRSSA competition. And a student documentary film team won a prestigious Webby Award for its film "Rainbow Rodeo," about Reno's historic gay rodeo.
Our documentary professor Kari Barber was honored as Best Nevada Filmmaker for her film "Rainshadow," and professor Ben Birkinbine published a book about the digital commons.
Though most of our public events had to be canceled, we celebrated student success with a virtual Savitt Awards, streamed on Facebook.
(Maseco Colombant) She's the winner of our 2020 New Media Award for bringing TikTok to the Reynolds Sandbox. Emilie Rodriguez! [Music]
(Al Stavitsky) We ended the semester honoring our graduating class with digital recognition, including Dr. Mitchell's traditional send-off.
(Paul Mitchell) Each year, each graduating class is building on the legacy of the preceding graduating classes. We thank you so much for all that you've done. We thank you for your time, and we thank you for your talent.
(Al Stavitsky) We have invited the class of 2020 to return to campus for a delayed but well-deserved ceremony when we are next able to hold an in-person commencement.
What a semester it was! I'm so proud of the Reynolds School community for all that was achieved in such challenging times. Who knows what we'll accomplish next semester! Until then, stay safe, be well and keep in touch.
[Music]
