Chronicles

Roger Mudd ’50 with his 1995 Spring Term class.

TUESDAYS (& THURSDAYS) WITH ROGER

BY LOUISE UFFELMAN

In the spring of 1995, 18 students enrolled in Journalism 295, taught by the distinguished journalist Roger Mudd ’50, who died March 9. Titled The Washington News Media with Roger Mudd, the six-week seminar examined how print and electronic media covered politics and government in Washington, D.C., and deliberated on whether the Washington press corps was providing its audiences with the reporting they required to be informed citizens.

“This will not be a How-tobe-a-Journalist course,” noted Mudd’s description of the seminar. Journalism majors and nonmajors alike were invited to apply with a one-page letter explaining why they wanted to take the course.

Assignments included a daily reading of The Washington Post, The New York Times and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as well as watching two evening network broadcasts. “This being a class about journalism, deadlines will be adhered to,” read the syllabus. “From time to time, I may ask you to write against the clock.” Students were alerted to the possibility of occasional pop quizzes.

Meeting twice a week for three hours, students discussed the power of talk radio, the privilege of being a member of the White House press corps, political privacy, dealing with Congressional contempt of the press and the pitfalls of schmoozing with sources. Guest speakers included Brian Lamb, president and co-founder of C-SPAN; Diane Rehm, an NPR talk show host; Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’ “Face the Nation”; and Charles McDowell ’48, a columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“Roger Mudd’s Spring Term class was the only class in four years that I never missed,” said Brian McClung ’95, co-CEO of Park Street Public. “As you would expect, he was an amazing teacher who knew how to tell a riveting story and how to get the best out of his students.”

Twenty-six years later, McClung thinks about that experience regularly. “Roger’s thoughtful and ethical approach to journalism and life are something we should all reflect on. I am so grateful that he was a W&L alum and that I had an opportunity to learn from him.” Read Roger Mudd’s obituary on p. 37.

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SCENE OFF CAMPUS

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1. Nick St. Pierre ‘21 in W&L’s 4-1 win over Bridgewater College.

2. Wild crocuses bloom in front of Tucker Hall. 3. Kevin Finch, associate professor of journalism, teaches in Wilson Concert Hall. 4. Emily King of Alumni Engagement made cookies for “Coffee and Cookies with the President and Provost.” 5. The sun sets behind the Lenfest Center for the Arts.

6. Todd McDonald ’17 proposed to Laura Waggener ’17 on the Colonnade. She said yes!