Five weeks of SMC Today: It’s a Wrap!

SMC American Journalism students have been producing a radio news magazine called SMC Today. Listen here:

Five Tips for Budding Broadcasters

By Kiana Lei Yap

As with application courses in the Communication Department here at SMC, we are taught practical skills that we will take into our future careers and other post-grad endeavors. At the closing of SMC Today, I’ve sharpened my skills as a reporter, writer, interviewer, and media editor. Here are my top five tips:

1. Research, research, and… research!

Gif courtesy of tumblr.com

Broadcast Legends Share Tips with SMC Journalism Students

Wendy Tokuda & Frank Somerville gather together to share their experiences with SMC students. Photo by Gwen Over

By Gwen Over

Former KPIX anchor Wendy Tokuda and current KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville spoke to journalism students about life in the tv spotlight at SMC on Tuesday. Tokuda who is retired from her role on tv, was able to make use of the afternoon class time by providing her thoughts on current media and information about the nonprofit, Students Rising Above, that she helped form. Somerville contributed 30 minutes to the students before having to jet off to the news station in time for his 5 o’clock news report.

Stan Bunger, Award-Winning Multimedia Journalist, Speaks to American Journalism students

Stan Bunger talks with Saint Mary’s student Kiana Lei Yap. (Courtesy of Grace Becker

By Kimi Schiefer

KCBS’s Stan Bunger visited Professor Virginia Prior’s American Journalism class, April 11, fielding questions and tracing his journey from undergraduate to morning news anchor. Bunger has been working with KCBS since he was 25 years old and has garnered critical acclaim for his reporting, including a Peabody Award for his coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

SF Chronicle’s Tim O’Rourke Talks Digital at SMC

By Kiana Le Yap

Covering the SF Giants Opening Day, a then-active shooting at YouTube HQ, and setting aside 90 minutes to chat with a class of aspiring journalists, San Francisco Chronicle’s Tim O’Rourke is one master multitasker.

Popular PR Professional Shares Tips with Journalists

Photo by Grace Becker

By Sabrina Aragon

Dennis Erokan is a communication professor at Saint Mary’s College. However, he is well-known beyond the classroom. Erokan founded the popular Bay Area Music (BAM) magazine, the Bay Area Music Awards, and was the former CEO of the marketing firm Placemaking Group.

REVIEW: Alt-J takes a break from Coachella at Bill Graham Civic

By Rita Anderson – RIFF Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO — Electronic soul and folk band Alt-J took a quick break from two weekends of Coachella to make its way to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Wednesday.

Gaels take Series with San Diego

Edward Haus comes through in the clutch and leads the Saint Mary’s offense to a series victory over the University of San Diego. (Courtesy of smcgaels.com)

By Tyler Bindi |Collegian Sports Editor

The Gaels finished up a five-game home stand going in 2-3 and then headed down south for a WCC matchup against the University of San Diego for the start of their eight-game road trip. Despite the losing home stand, Saint Mary’s was able to gain momentum by winning the final two games and carry that forward into their road series at USD. The team took two out of three games from the Toreros (7-8 WCC) and improved their conference record to 8-7. San Diego took the first game of the series 9-8 in a shootout, but Saint Mary’s battled back, winning the final two games 6-5 and 16-2.

Visiting Professors Discuss Current Political Division

By Anna Thielen | Collegian Contributing Writer

In a nation divided, how can we stand? An event titled “Bridging the Political Divide” tackled this question. Hosted by the Politics department on April 19, the event was led by Nina Moore, a professor of Political Science at Colgate University, and sociologist Arlie Hochschild, Professor of Sociology at the University of California. 

The two speakers opened with their concerns about the growing political divide in the United States between liberals and conservatives. This divide, they claimed, is weakening our nation and challenging our notion of what it means to be an American.

The ‘Bold Type’as an Empowering, Feminist TV Show

By Aubrie McKeever | Collegian Staff Writer

The Bold Type”, which premiered on Freeform last summer, is a television show that encourages women to be bold in both their personal and professional work lives while educating viewers about intersectional feminism. The plot follows the relationship between Jane, Kat, and Sutton, three friends who live in New York City and work at a magazine. It reminds me of a younger version of Sex and the City, as it deals with the relationship between three best friends navigating New York City while they explore their different love lives, share secrets with one another, and balance work with their personal lives.