What kind of impact can you make when you’re surrounded by cornfields? That is the question I asked myself when I first considered journalism at Ohio Northern University.
Life is quiet in the rural town of Ada, Ohio. Breaking news is rare, and campus activities are fairly ordinary. From an outside perspective, it would seem as though student journalism at Ohio Northern is boring…maybe even unnecessary. Is there even content worth writing about on such a small campus?
Two and half years of being on Northern Review staff has taught me that journalism is more than a flashy headline and dramatic lede. The role of a journalist is to both report the truth and share content that truly matters to the community around them. Journalism may not look the same in every newsroom, but it does not mean the work you created is any less meaningful to your audience.
Besides, I would argue Northern Review has been a successful media outlet despite its rural setting—if you measure success as winning over a hundred awards in the past decade alone. The lack of “breaking news” at Ohio Northern does not seem to be impacting the quality of content the organization produces.
A combination of my personal experiences and a genuine interest in rural journalism inspired me to explore the heart of student media at Ohio Northern. I sat down with seasoned journalists and emerging student talent to hear why they believe student journalism has value at a small university. Hours of reflective conversations led me to produce the documentary Student Voices at a Small University: The Story of Northern Review.
Join the Northern Review staff for a premiere screening of the documentary on Wednesday, November 19. The screening will take place at 4 p.m. in Performing Arts Center 131 and will be followed by a community discussion on the topics shared in the documentary.