16 THE OUTLET

The Johnsonian and

The Roddey McMillan Record
are Hiring!
COVID-19 will not stop campus newspapers
BY JADA MCCLAIN

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly

multicultural newspaper produced by Winthrop students. The
publication was created in April 1986, by Gail Harris to promote
awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities and to
shine light on diverse cultures. Through the RMR students gain
experience in journalism with some paid positions and build their
resumes.
The Johnsonian, founded in 1923, is Winthrop’s weekly student
newspaper, run by Winthrop students. Published during spring and
fall semester, it provides news coverage to students, faculty, and staff
on all topics related to Winthrop. Students who work on the
newspaper gain experience in writing, photography, editing, graphic
design, website building, advertising and social media with some paid
positions.
The Editors-in-Chief of The Johnsonian and the RMR say they
try to provide students with a better understanding of the
challenges and effects of the current COVID pandemic.
"This year is very different from the past, but luckily through social
media I was able to create flyers to post and share to recruit people…
our operations had to change, now everything is done online. My
number one priority is the safety and health of my staff,” said
Savannah Scott, first-year Editor-in-Chief of The Johnsonian and
senior mass communication major. Contiunued on page 17
 17 THE OUTLET

Contiunued from page 16

“The biggest setback that has
affected the Roddey McMillan Record
is communication. Due to COVID-19,
some staff are on campus and some at
home, but now everything is done
virtually. COVID-19 gave the RMR the
chance to rebrand ITSELF and to create
a new audience and interact with
students on social media," said GENE POLIICINSKI

Tatianna Davis RMR Editor-in-Chief .

The COVID-19 pandemic brought

big changes for student publications,
but both continue to strive for
greatness.
Build your portfolio by working with
the student newspapers. Contact The
Johnsonian at scotts@mytjnow.com
and The Roddey McMillan Record at HONORARY JEFFERY HONORARY RODNEY
P. HOPKINS W. SIPPEL
roddeymac@winthrop.edu.

News Engagement Week features

Federal Judges in Zoom Meeting
During News Engagement Week in October the mass communication
department hosted a special panel featuring two federal judges and Freedom
Forum Director Gene Policinski. Honorary Jeffery P. Hopkins, of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio and Honorary Rodney W. Sippel, of
the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri met with students and
answered questions about media law and ethics.
Topics during the Zoom meeting included the First Amendment and the media’s
relationship with the courts and the law. “The event was part of a pilot program
started at the Freedom Forum that involves federal judges speaking to journalism
students to help them gain a deeper understanding of the federal court system,”
mass communication professor and coordinator for the event, Dr. Nathaniel
Fredrick said. “Most students do not get the chance to meet federal judges in
their daily life. It was an authentic experience for mass comm, the political
science department, and legal studies,” Frederick said.
With judges proceeding live from their courtroom bench, attendees were present
for a successful hearing.