Sharif Durhams discusses digital strategy at the 2016 conference. Photo by Erik Perel
Find maps of Carroll Hall here. (Note: On Saturday, access to Carroll Hall will be through the side entrances.)
Friday, February 17:
2 p.m. WHAT’S NEXT? Part 1: What’s the big idea?
Freedom Forum Conference Room, Carroll Hall
Innovative journalists, including Ariel Zirulnick of The New Tropic, Fiona Morgan of Free Press and Daniel Malloy of OZY will present what they’re working on in a lightning-round session, and then will host breakout conversations to discuss how other people can use or adapt their project. Moderated by DTH executive director Betsy O’Donovan. Got a cool project or provocative idea to pitch? Email alumni@dailytarheel.com.
3 p.m. Rape and the Campus
Freedom Forum Conference Room, Carroll Hall
Susan King, dean of the UNC School of Media and Journalism, moderates a discussion with DTH Editor-in-Chief Jane Wester, Duke Chronicle editor Claire Ballentine, the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Sarah Brown, Roanoke Times’ Sara Gregory and Monika Johnson Hostler of N.C. CASA about the challenge and responsibility of covering sexual assault.
Students and alumni packed the Freedom Forum to hear Sharif Durhams speak. Photo by Erik Perel
4 p.m. News: The Next Generation
Freedom Forum Conference Room, Carroll Hall
They began working in journalism during or immediately after the Great Recession, when the journalism world was blowing up. And now they are blowing up journalism, by pioneering new ways of telling stories, new business models for news, and new ways of finding audiences. The New Tropic’s Ariel Zirulnick, Reuters’ Emily Stephenson, Charlotte Agenda’s Andrew Dunn and the Center for Community Self-Help’s Ricky Leung. Moderated by the DTH’s Visual Managing Editor José Valle.
6 p.m. Happy Hour at Linda’s
203 E. Franklin St.
Meet your fellow journalists at The Daily Tar Heel’s unofficial annex for a reception sponsored by Democracy Fund.
8 p.m. Authority: A story slam
VENUE CHANGE: Linda’s Downbar, 203 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill
Join The Daily Tar Heel for a night of true stories, told live, without notes at TRU Wine Bar. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; storytelling begins at 8 p.m. with DTH historian Ken Zogry.
The Daily Tar Heel was once known as the cradle for the “baby radicals” of the campus and the state. In honor of that history, our inaugural story slam’s theme is AUTHORITY. The best story on the theme will win a $25 cash prize. Bring your game. Tickets: $7.50/person.
Saturday, February 18:
8:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Democracy Fund
Conference registration, raffle tickets, merchandise for sale, etc.
Matt Leclercq and Michael Workman talk during the dinner party. Photo by Erik Perel
9 a.m.: Leaving the nest/newsroom
Room 253 Carroll Hall, UNC Campus
Everything you ever wanted to know about using your journalism skills in new places. We’ll include freelance tips, career changes, business management and your Q&A. Ricky Leung (online communications manager for Self-Help), and photographer Grant Halverson. Moderated by DTH Photo Editor Sarah Dwyer.
9 a.m.: Pulitzer standards, local stories.
Freedom Forum, Carroll Hall, UNC Campus
A sharp, hard look at what community newsrooms can do to practice world-class reporting with the resources on hand. With Roanoke Times’ Sara Gregory, ProPublica’s Adriana Gallardo, WAMU’s Bec Feldhaus Adams and Fiona Morgan of Free Press. Moderated by The Daily Tar Heel’s Kiana Cole.
9 a.m.. Way beyond spellcheck: How to be a great editor
Room 283 Carroll Hall, UNC Campus
Want to be an editor? Some of the best in the business — Courtney Rukan from the Washington Post, Jenny Abella from the Washington Post Magazine, and Jen McDonald, a former editor at the New York Times — will discuss how to advocate for readers and make stories shine. Moderated by Daily Tar Heel managing editor Hannah Smoot.
10 a.m.: Coffee and Pastries with the Democracy Fund
10:30 a.m. Covering a Trump Administration
CNN’s Eugene Scott, Huffington Post’s Julia Craven, Reuters’ Emily Stephenson, the Boston Globe’s Matt Viser, the Washington Post’s Peter Wallsten and other notables who are covering Donald Trump and the presidential transition will discuss how their coverage has evolved to accurately report on an unprecedented president-elect. (Submit questions in advance to alumni@dailytarheel.com.) Moderated by Daily Tar Heel state and national editor Corey Risinger.
Twelve editors-in-chief attended the 2016 Alumni Homecoming. From left: Erica Beshears Perel, Sharif Durhams, Paige Ladisic, Hugh Stevens, Jenny Surane, Edwin Yoder, Kelly Ryan Gilmer, Andy Thomason, Erin Zureick Dunn, Andrew Dunn, Todd Cohen and Wayne Hurder. Photo by Erik Perel
12:15 p.m. WHAT’S NEXT? Part 2: What’s your problem?
Freedom Forum, Carroll Hall, UNC Campus
Journalists all have challenges in their newsroom, or a project they want to work on but aren’t quite sure how to get started. Innovative journalists including the Fayetteville Observer’s Matt Leclercq will discuss their problems in a lightning-round session, and then will break out into brainstorming sessions. Moderated by Daily Tar Heel newsroom adviser and brand studio director Erica Perel (DTH EIC ’98). Want to present your “problem”? Email alumni@dailytarheel.com.
12:15 p.m.: Fellowships and funding
Room 283, Carroll Hall, UNC Campus
Winning money to work on a dream project, taking your journalism skills outside the newsroom, and more. Fellows and foundation pros, including 2013 Nieman fellow Jen McDonald and Democracy Fund’s Teresa Gorman and Hodding Carter, former president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, will offer advice. Moderated by Daily Tar Heel Online Managing Editor Danny Nett.
Maddy Will presents Ed Yoder with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Photo by Erik Perel
2 p.m. (or as soon as you get there following the panels): Lunch at Hickory Tavern
370 E. Main St. #110, Carrboro
Conference attendees are invited to have lunch together at Hickory Tavern in Carrboro. We’ll also take your best ideas for the DTH’s 125th birthday celebrations. (Note: This was originally supposed to be a game-watching party, but tip-off is now Saturday evening.)
7 p.m. Dinner/Awards at R&R
We will honor our 2017 Distinguished Alumnus, give updates on the current state of the Daily Tar Heel, and raffle off prizes, as alumni from multiple generations have a chance to reconnect over dinner.
Probably operator error on my part, but I can’t seem to find addresses for any of these events. Where will you be?