UNL, World-Herald exchange program will share skills, ideas

The Omaha World-Herald has established a new Professional in Residence program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Under the program, the World-Herald has committed funding to hire a working journalist to teach in the college as a professional in residence. The program also provides for a journalism professor from the college to spend a year working with professional journalists at the World-Herald.

Both the professional in residence and the educator in residence positions would be for a term of up to one year. The three-year pilot partnership is intended to benefit the college as it prepares its students for careers in the newspaper industry, said John Gottschalk, World-Herald publisher.

"As the state's largest news organization, we hire many UNL graduates. We concluded that a professional exchange program could be productive in advancing journalism training," Gottschalk said. "The university is going to take the lead in selecting the professionals, without regard to their current location. We want the best professionals we can find, from all fields, including photography, copy-editing and design, news-editorial, advertising and others."

Faculty chosen will work alongside World-Herald professionals on copy desks, depth-reporting projects, beat reporting and all facets of major news organization activity. Both the educators and working professionals will gain a year of experience different from their typical work that they can later share with students or colleagues.

"It is gratifying to see this partnership between the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the state's largest newspaper," said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. "We are grateful for their support of the college that informs their industry and provides them new professionals. Many will benefit from this partnership -- not just the individuals 'trading jobs.'"

"We welcome this opportunity to enhance the learning experience of our students and to expand our long-term relationship with the Omaha World-Herald," said Will Norton Jr., dean of journalism and mass communications. "This is a unique program that will attract attention from both prospective students and members of the journalism profession."

The exchange will begin in the next few months when qualified candidates are identified.

CONTACT: Linda Shipley, Assoc. Dean, Journalism & Mass Communications, (402) 472-3041