Digital News Academic Program
Award
$639,000
Winner
Rich Gordon
Organization
Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University
Location
Summary
To create an academic program blending computer science and journalism, designed to fill a staffing void at many digital news sites. By offering scholarships to Medill’s graduate journalism program to people with education and/or expertise in computer programming, the goal is to turn out students who understand both journalism and technology, connect one to another in ways that build audiences and also enhance and protect the civic functions of journalism in a democratic society.
Quote
“A democratic society in the digital age needs people who understand both journalism and technology.”
Winner Bio
Rich Gordon is the Director of Digital Technology in Education and an Associate Professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he directs the school’s graduate program in new media journalism. Prior to joining Northwestern, he spent two decades working for newspapers in Virginia and Florida. From 1995 to 1999, Gordon was the first director of new media for the Miami Herald Publishing Co. He oversaw the team that created The Miami Herald Internet Edition (www.herald.com), El Nuevo Herald Digital (www.elherald.com), two South Florida community guides (www.miami.com and www.broward.com) and an array of other Internet content and commerce services. He also served as newsroom technology coordinator for The Herald. He also organizes and conducts programs on new media publishing strategy for media company executives through Northwestern’s Media Management Center.