Through Our Eyes – 2/23/16

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Oralee Madison, 8, checks bull fighter Chris Russell's face paint before the start of the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016.|Skyler Ballard

Oralee Madison, 8, checks bull fighter Chris Russell’s face paint before the start of the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016.|Skyler Ballard

In excitement, little princesses crowded the stage as Ryelee Robinson, dressed up as Pocahontas, sang "Colors of the Wind," at Christ Episcopal Church on Sunday, February 21, 2016. This event was held by Bowling Green High School students to raise funds for the school's choral activities. |Weston kenney

In excitement, little princesses crowded the stage as Ryelee Robinson, dressed up as Pocahontas, sang “Colors of the Wind,” at Christ Episcopal Church on Sunday, February 21, 2016. This event was held by Bowling Green High School students to raise funds for the school’s choral activities. |Weston kenney

Gail Morton, 64, of Flint, Mich., sobs as she watches protestors gather following a scheduled march with the Rev. Jesse Jackson that made it's way from the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Church over a mile to the front of the the City of Flint Water Plant, on Friday, February 19, 2016. "As a small child growing up you could almost see what our parents went through. We didn't have the rights. We didn't even have the rights to live in certain neighborhoods," Morton said. "I am so proud today, I mean, I am really proud." |Brittany Greeson

Gail Morton, 64, of Flint, Mich., sobs as she watches protestors gather following a scheduled march with the Rev. Jesse Jackson that made it’s way from the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Church over a mile to the front of the the City of Flint Water Plant, on Friday, February 19, 2016. “As a small child growing up you could almost see what our parents went through. We didn’t have the rights. We didn’t even have the rights to live in certain neighborhoods,” Morton said. “I am so proud today, I mean, I am really proud.” |Brittany Greeson

2015 winners and current participants listen to the question segment of peers during the Miss Kentucky Teen USA Pageant which took place in Van Meter on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.|Ebony Cox

2015 winners and current participants listen to the question segment of peers during the Miss Kentucky Teen USA Pageant which took place in Van Meter on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.|Ebony Cox

In 2013, Rafey Wahlah moved from Lahore, Pakistan to Bowling Green, KY. There had not been another Pakistani student at Western Kentucky University for 14 years before Wahlah and friend, Daniyal Monnoo enrolled. In 2016, Wahlah was the Vice President of the Pakistani Student Association at WKU, which grew rapidly to upwards of 40 undergraduate and graduate students.. |Alyse Young

In 2013, Rafey Wahlah moved from Lahore, Pakistan to Bowling Green, KY. There had not been another Pakistani student at Western Kentucky University for 14 years before Wahlah and friend, Daniyal Monnoo enrolled. In 2016, Wahlah was the Vice President of the Pakistani Student Association at WKU, which grew rapidly to upwards of 40 undergraduate and graduate students.. |Alyse Young

Louisville junior Charles Buckner started dancing during his sophomore year at the Youth Preforming Arts School. Buckner recently won a FUSE grant to attend a conference in Texas this year, after which he will present his findings this time next year as a dance performance at WKU. |Josh Newell

Louisville junior Charles Buckner started dancing during his sophomore year at the Youth Preforming Arts School. Buckner recently won a FUSE grant to attend a conference in Texas this year, after which he will present his findings this time next year as a dance performance at WKU. |Josh Newell

--FEB 14, 2016-- Bowling Green, KY -- Dawson Turner, 17, of Sydney, Arkansas opens the arena door for his horse, Django. Turner, who has been roping for four years, competed in the Calf Roping competition at the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016. |Skyler Ballard (Photo by Skyler Ballard)

Dawson Turner, 17, of Sydney, Arkansas opens the arena door for his horse, Django. Turner, who has been roping for four years, competed in the Calf Roping competition at the Lone Star Championship Rodeo at the L.D Brown Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, February 14th, 2016. |Skyler Ballard
(Photo by Skyler Ballard)

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Intercollegiate Print Trade

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And the first print trade of the semester is a wrap!
#WKUPJ #printtrade

A photo posted by WKUPJ (@wkuphotojournalism) on

We are getting together with OU to kick off our first Print Trade of the Semester! So pick your favorite image (think of something you would want to hang on a wall) and send it to wkunppa@gmail.com by February 19th at Midnight!
After you’ve sent it in we’ll print it, you’ll sign it and we’ll send it to OU so we’ll skype and trade with our new friends on March 3rd (time and place TBD).
Remember you can not participate in Print Trade unless you have paid your NPPA dues!
P.S. each person is limited to one print

Career Night

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Are you curious what it takes to put together a portfolio? What kinds of images should I represent in my online presentation? How do I write a cover letter and what should I put in my resumé? Well, fear not because the student chapter of NPPA at WKU has you covered. Come to rm. 118 in MMTH and listen to your fellow classmates explain how they got their internships, see examples of portfolios and listen to presentations that describe what you need to do to get started in this business.

Frankfort | The Land Between

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2015_mmth_galleryThe School of Journalism and Broadcasting’s photojournalism department is pleased to announce the opening of Frankfort  |   The Land Between. This gallery exhibition of 37 prints and 22 video stories, collected form the more than 40,000 images and hundreds of hours of video, is the result of WKU Photojournalism’s annual Mountain Workshops. For one week in late October, 2015, more than 140 professional and student visual journalists from across the country gathered in Frankfort to teach one another and improve their skills as visual storytellers.

Here we see the glorious dome of political power, and enjoy the beauty of the river called Kentucky. Here we hike the hills and rocky bluffs that tower over it. But mostly, here is where we find the story of a place we know: home. Here we document the lives of our neighbors. Not the rich and famous who control our government and culture, but the worker bees who keep Kentucky buzzing: schoolteachers and kids, hairdressers and dressmakers, storekeepers and shoppers, farmers and truck drivers, moms and dads.

This is their story. It’s what the Mountain Workshops are all about.

Frankfort  |  The Land Between

MMTH Gallery

Sunday: 3:00 – 9:00 pm

Monday – Wednesday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Thursday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

On display until March 18

Through Our Eyes – 2/9/16

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Nicky raises cocks for fighting in Mingo County, West Virginia at his family's trailer and usually bets between fifty and a hundred dollars on each fight. This is his main income source, but he stays clear of fighting in the big derbies in Kentucky because the bets are made in the thousands not just in a few bucks. "There is a real sportsmanship to this. It is a real sport," Nicky explains. | Gabriel Scarlett

Nicky raises cocks for fighting in Mingo County, West Virginia at his family’s trailer and usually bets between fifty and a hundred dollars on each fight. This is his main income source, but he stays clear of fighting in the big derbies in Kentucky because the bets are made in the thousands not just in a few bucks. “There is a real sportsmanship to this. It is a real sport,” Nicky explains. | Gabriel Scarlett

Hudson Sitzman of Ferdinand, 14 months, middle, pointed to a 3-week-old turkey while his dad Wes and grandmother Debbie Kerstiens of Ferdinand watched him interact with the animals in the brooders house at Kerstiens Farm in Ferdinand on Tuesday. | Erica Lafser

Hudson Sitzman of Ferdinand, 14 months, middle, pointed to a 3-week-old turkey while his dad Wes and grandmother Debbie Kerstiens of Ferdinand watched him interact with the animals in the brooders house at Kerstiens Farm in Ferdinand on Tuesday. | Erica Lafser

Dawson Newbold,16, of Housespring makes a call while taking a break from sandbagging on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The Meramec river is expected to crest at 43 ft late Wednesday. | Michael Noble Jr.

Dawson Newbold,16, of Housespring makes a call while taking a break from sandbagging on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The Meramec river is expected to crest at 43 ft late Wednesday. | Michael Noble Jr.

Ray "Raisin" Jones of Bowling Green helped his third cousin, Carleigh Frost of Bowling Green, 7, left, put her hat back on after it fell while she was feeding the ducks at Basil Griffin Park on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Jones used to go to the same park with his own son, who is now 23. | Erica Lafser

Ray “Raisin” Jones of Bowling Green helped his third cousin, Carleigh Frost of Bowling Green, 7, left, put her hat back on after it fell while she was feeding the ducks at Basil Griffin Park on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Jones used to go to the same park with his own son, who is now 23. | Erica Lafser

Rachel Cranor, 17, of Bowling Green, lies on the floor after walking the runway at the fashion show during the third annual Southern Kentucky Bridal Expo at the WKU Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Sunday, Jan. 31. “I didn’t pass out, I’m just tired” said Cranor. | Emily Kask

WKU president Gary Ransdell prepares to announce his resignation at the Regents Board meeting at the College & Career Center on WKU's Elizabethtown campus on January 29, 2016. Ransdell's retirement from his presidency will be effective June 30, 2017. | Emily Kask

WKU president Gary Ransdell prepares to announce his resignation at the Regents Board meeting at the College & Career Center on WKU’s Elizabethtown campus on January 29, 2016. Ransdell’s retirement from his presidency will be effective June 30, 2017. | Emily Kask

At six in the morning, when Judy's Castle opens it's doors, faithful tenants make their way inside for a warm breakfast and good conversation. Rita Porter has dined with her father, Fred Oliver since her mother's passing in 2014. At the diner, Porter befriended Jerry Blankenship who sits in the booth behind Porter and Oliver. "We come here every day" said Porter. | Alyse Young

At six in the morning, when Judy’s Castle opens it’s doors, faithful tenants make their way inside for a warm breakfast and good conversation. Rita Porter has dined with her father, Fred Oliver since her mother’s passing in 2014. At the diner, Porter befriended Jerry Blankenship who sits in the booth behind Porter and Oliver. “We come here every day” said Porter. | Alyse Young

Family, friends, students, and staff gathered in the Chandler Memorial Chapel on Western Kentucky's Campus on Monday, January 25, 2016 to mourn the loss of their friend and loved one Tammy Jeffries, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications. | Lex Selig

Family, friends, students, and staff gathered in the Chandler Memorial Chapel on Western Kentucky’s Campus on Monday, January 25, 2016 to mourn the loss of their friend and loved one Tammy Jeffries, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications. | Lex Selig

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Greeson, Wagner selected for second round of the Hearst Photojournalism competition

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WKU Photojournalism professors James Kenney and Jeanie Adams-Smith spend their Super Bowl Sunday pondering edits for the second round of the Hearst photo competition.

WKU Photojournalism professors James Kenney and Jeanie Adams-Smith spend their Super Bowl Sunday pondering edits for the second round of the Hearst photo competition.

Congratulations to Nick Wagner and Brittany Greeson for being selected to represent WKU photojournalism in the second round of the Heast Photojournalism competition. Wagner’s story depicts the personal sacrifice a legal immigrant must endure to try to earn money for his family. Wagner traveled between Bowling Green and Mexico to cover both sides of the immigration process. Greeson’s story is a comprehensive and unnerving look at the community of Flint, Mich. as they deal with the current water crisis. We wish both of them our collective luck in the competition.

Posted in: Contest Winners, Student Work

We Fear The Water

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How the push of a button has ignited an almost year-long battle over clean drinking water and how residents of a City stuck in financial turmoil are trying to cope.

 

Bishop Bernadel Jefferson encourages the crowd to take action on the issue of Flint's water quality during the Healing Stories on Racial Equity speaking event at the Flint Youth Theater on Saturday, March 22nd, 2015. The event was hosted by Flint Strong Stones and supported by the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion and included many other conversations about the quality of water and it's connection to African-American neighborhoods.

 

It was April 2014 when, at the push of a button, the Flint River — which hadn’t been treated for daily use in over 50 years — became the city of Flint, Michigan’s main water source. The responsibility of water treatment was passed from the Detroit Water and Sewage Department to the shoulders of the local water plant. Government leaders cited a potential savings of around $5 million over the course of two years for a city staring into the face of financial emergency.

As water plant operators used more chlorine to fight bacteria in the water, the presence of trihalomethanes (THMs), an EPA regulated carcinogenic, spiked. Many began buying bottled water and would do so for the coming months, refusing to drink the toxins coming from their taps.

Later that year, elevated levels of lead were found in many of the City’s homes, as well as in the blood of children. State officials however, did not alert their citizens. It wasn’t until an independent study conducted by Virginia Tech showed the rise of lead levels that state officials began taking action.

Today, the City of Flint is under a state of emergency declared by recent mayor elect Karen Weaver. It’s citizens are left coping with a failing infrastructure, a lost trust in their government system, and a looming sense of fear for their health. READ MORE

Posted in: Class Work, Picture Stories, Web Narratives