Professor Chuck Stone, an awarding winning journalist, earns new honors these days in an arena where few minorities perform. On the faculty of the University of North Carolina, he is among the scant number of professionals who have jettisoned themselves out of the bustling newsroom to pursue new dreams -- teaching the next generation of journalists.
Once a rarity in the newsroom, he shattered the obstacles and his well-earned legacy now assures that he's no classroom novelty. As a distinguished endowed chair professor, his new profession is more than a retirement nest. Thoroughly prepared to meet the new challenges and fully intent on building a new legacy, Stone wants to champion the drive for diversity in college journalism programs.
During the annual convention of the Association for Education in journalism and Mass Communication in August, he told attendees: "Together, I hope that we can find a way to teach and implement diversity in journalism education and make the world a happier expression of God's multiculturalism." He also encourages students to pursue journalism by simply telling them "journalism is one of the most honored professions." That line has been the right buzz words a few times. He has convinced a few students to make the switch.
This task, Stone contends, is vital if talented minds are to be ushered into the Fourth Estate. "We have to compete against other areas for the brightest Black students," he says. "We need to make them realize there are opportunities. I've had three, four students switch over. I tell them that the founding of America goes back to journalism."
Perhaps his most significant message is, I also tell them don't take courses. Take teachers. Find out who are the best teachers and take them." As a professor, his mission is to "show students how to think critically and develop writing skills they can use, even if they don't become a journalist."
