James E. Reppert, associate professor of mass communication and director of broadcast journalism at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, was competitively selected for participation in the International Radio and Television Society Foundation Faculty/Industry Seminar, held Nov. 9-10 in New York City.
Reppert was one of 25 broadcast educators from across the country chosen to participate in “Electronic Journalism: The Ultimate Journey.” The seminar took place in network and local newsrooms, examining key issues in broadcast news.
A series of panels and tours highlighted on-air reporting issues. Professors observed national and international news coverage at NBC and CBS television. Among the featured panel speakers were Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of the NBC Nightly News. CBS news correspondents discussed challenges they faced when covering Hurricane Katrina. One panel focused on the marketing, promoting, and delivering of network television news. The seminar concluded with professors receiving hands-on reporting experience at New York AM radio stations WCBS and WINS.
SAU broadcast journalism majors write, market, and distribute student-produced radio and television programs. “SAU Magazine,” a news program, airs on regional radio stations, with audio webcasts available at the SAU broadcast journalism Internet site. “The SAU Report,” and interview program, airs at 7 p.m. each Monday on Cox Communications of Magnolia cable channel 13.
Reppert has been chosen for 15 merit-based faculty seminars since 1989. They include the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, C-SPAN, Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, International Emmy Nominee Festival, IRTS Foundation, National Association for Television Program Executives, and Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
He was awarded a fellowship by the Radio and Television Directors News Foundation in the summer of 2002 and participated in daily news operations over a four-week period at KTNV-TV (ABC), in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Reppert was named 2000-01 Teacher of the Year and 1997-98 Scholar of the Year by the Kentucky Communication Association, the first out-of-state educator to receive each award.
He has made more than 90 presentations at regional and national conventions of professional associations.
