The 2023-24 academic year at UNC-Chapel Hill is over. Here is my agenda for the summer: Lead a week-long residency for our online master’s program in digital communication (MADC). About 20 students will get training in video production from my colleague Chad Heartwood. I will meet with each of them for brainstorming sessions for their … Continue reading That summer feeling
Author: andybechtel
A defining decision
Each year, representatives of The Associated Press Stylebook announce updates at the national conference of ACES: The Society for Editing. It's typically one of the most-attended sessions at the conference. I had planned to attend this year's gathering in San Diego, but obligations at UNC-Chapel Hill kept me home. So I followed the fun on … Continue reading A defining decision
Great guests
The 2023-24 academic year is in the home stretch. The last day of class at UNC-Chapel Hill is April 30, followed by exam week and commencement. This year, I have been fortunate to have several visitors speak in person and via Zoom with students in my courses. As I've written before, I use a question-answer … Continue reading Great guests
How I spent spring break
Normally a hub of student activity, the Pit at UNC-Chapel Hill is quiet during spring break. UNC-Chapel Hill's spring break is wrapping up. Here's how I spent my week: graded midterm exams for an introductory writing course; prepared presentations and assignments for classes; reviewed applications for an online master’s program in digital communication; read a graduate student's … Continue reading How I spent spring break
Q&A with Justin Smith, editor and publisher of The News Reporter
Justin Smith is editor and publisher of The News Reporter in Whiteville, North Carolina. The newspaper, founded in 1896, shared a Pulitzer Prize in 1953 for its courageous reporting on Ku Klux Klan activity in southeastern North Carolina. In this interview, conducted by email, Smith discusses his roles at The News Reporter and the importance … Continue reading Q&A with Justin Smith, editor and publisher of The News Reporter
Hey there, Mr. Blue
Last week, Twitter notified me that I had reached my 15th anniversary on the platform. I had long been an enthusiastic user of Twitter, but that changed after its new ownership made numerous bad decisions. I've been looking at alternatives to Twitter (now known as X) for some time. I'm on Mastodon, and I've had … Continue reading Hey there, Mr. Blue
See you in San Diego for ACES 2024
The 28th national conference of ACES: The Society for Editing will take place April 4-6 in San Diego, California. I’ll be there. The conference’s theme is “Unleashing Creativity,” and the gathering will have sessions that will appeal to editors across disciplines. We’ll learn who won the Robinson Prize, enjoy a spelling bee and silent auction, … Continue reading See you in San Diego for ACES 2024
Q&A with Layna Hong, digital producer at WFAE
Layna Hong is a digital producer at WFAE, a public radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a 2022 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill's journalism school. In this interview, conducted by email, Hong discusses her role at WFAE's digital team, and she offers advice to students interested in journalism careers. Q. Describe your job at … Continue reading Q&A with Layna Hong, digital producer at WFAE
What I am teaching this semester
The spring 2024 semester at UNC-Chapel Hill begins on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Here's what I am teaching this term: MEJO 153, Writing and Reporting. In this course, students learn the essentials of writing and information gathering for journalism and public relations. The class meets in person twice a week and has 20 students. MEJO 557, … Continue reading What I am teaching this semester
Winter break
The fall semester at UNC-Chapel Hill is almost over. I have posted grades for my courses, and after several meetings and a thesis defense this week, I will be off for winter break. This site will be on a break for a few weeks too. Thanks for reading, and see you again in 2024.