HIGH POINT, N.C., April 26, 2012 – High Point University recently hosted award-winning investigative journalist and entrepreneurial media executive John Solomon for a presentation in the Frances Auditorium of Phillips Hall.
Students and members of HPU attended an exciting and interrogative look at 21st century investigative journalism from the former director of news and investigations for Newsweek. Solomon gave a general lecture, which was open to the entire HPU community, and met with groups of journalism students and students involved in the university’s Survey Research Center.
“Solomon’s visit was a great experience for our students, who were able to discuss with him the future of journalism and the essential skills that journalists need,” says Dr. Nahed Eltantawy, assistant professor of journalism.
Solomon was able to give unique insight, considering his varied background, which in two-and-a-half decades has included working to uncover the truth behind many nationally highlighted and high-profile stories, such as Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s secret security firm clients, John Edward’s scandal, the Sept. 11 attacks, President George W. Bush’s involvement with Hurricane Katrina and countless other national and government controversies.
Andrew Faust, a senior majoring in communication and biology, found the event beneficial for his future career.
“Learning from such an influential journalist was an amazing opportunity for HPU students,” says Faust. “Solomon shared stories of his experiences as a journalist, which directly relate to my coursework, and provided helpful tips for entering the news industry.”
Solomon’s journalistic works have earned him many national awards and have even forced widespread changes in the government, including the John F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the Society of Professional Journalists National Public Service Award, and the Associated Press Managing Editors’ Award. His work has been published by major news organizations ranging from Newsweek and The New York Times to The Washington post and 60 Minutes.
Before joining at Newsweek, Solomon served as executive editor for The Center for Public Integrity, one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most respected nonprofit investigative journalism organizations in the country. He has also held positions at The Washington Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, The Daily Beast and many more noted news organizations. He currently serves as president of Packard Media Group, a growing media firm that publishes several products, including the respected EnergyGuardian news service and the soon-to-be-unveiled Washington Guardian newspaper in the nation’s capital. His highly anticipated book on the inside story of the Dominque Strauss-Kahn rape case is due out in stores June 5.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
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Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
[email protected]