Online Journalism

Here’s a selection of interesting posts from across onMason.

“Federman Beats Cancer” by Gregory Connolly

Gregory Connolly’s article takes a highly sympathetic and insightful look at Jacob Federman, a junior sports management major at George Mason who has twice beaten Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After first beating the cancer in high school, he experienced a relapse as a freshman at Mason, and the account of his struggle against the disease and the treatment process is compelling. Mason hosted a Relay for Life in his honor two years ago, and Federman organizes his fraternity’s participation in the event.

“Mason Asks: Tim Kaine” by Mike Lucier

This article is an interview with Tim Kaine, Virginia’s governor and United States Senator hopeful. As governor, he improved the state’s economy and prioritized education and environmental issues, and he has also served as Mayor of Richman, Lieutenant Governor and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The interview covers use of out-of-state funds in his campaign, his thoughts about college and student debts, his plans to help students find jobs and to reduce the national debt and what piece of legislation Kaine hopes to introduce should he become Senator.

“My ‘Return to Paradise’: Sam Sparro Concert Review” by Tabby Hardman

This is a review of a concert by Sam Sparro, an electro-funk/soul musician, at the Rock and Roll Hotel in northeast D.C. A huge fan of Sparro, Hardman describes the concert as “magical” and Sparro’s voice as velvety, his stage presence as unbelievable. Hardman effectively describes what sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“MLB 12: the Show. So Real, It’s Unreal” by Anthony Jamison

Jamison reviews the latest installment in the videogame franchise MLB: The Show. This game allows players to take part in almost every aspect of the major leagues, from the field to the behind-the-scenes work as manager or owner. It is immersive and detailed, a must-have for gamers seeking to experience major league baseball without actually being there.

“Cultures of Resistance: The Human Spirit Lives On” by Daniel A. Shyti

This article describes the independent film “Cultures of Resistance”, which focuses on various victimized populations around the world, from the Rwandan genocide to industrial exploitation in the Congo. The film shines a lot on many issues that deserve worldwide attention and that serve as strong, forceful reminders of both the value of humanity and the horrors that humans can inflict on each other.

Want your onMason post featured in our next round up? Leave a comment with a link to your piece!

Let’s check out some of the most interesting posts from last week throughout onMason.

“An interview with Mason Dining’s Dietitian Lois Durant” by Nicole Merrilees

This interview with Lois Durant provides insight to the life and hard work of a Mason employee who likely often goes unrecognized for her role in maintaining the high quality of life students at the university have. Ms. Durant also offers tips and suggestions for what students can do to support a healthy lifestyle, such as the importance of eating breakfast and how they can cut down on their sugar intake.

“Rogers and Whitetop Opening Event!” by Leigh DeWitte

DeWitte describes the opening ceremony on last Wednesday April 11 for Rogers and Whitetop, George Mason’s two new residential dorms. The event featured food, a concert by the band Jukebox the Ghost, a cake cutting ceremony, a panel on the importance of sustainability and tours for both prospective students and students who will be moving into the dorms next year. DeWitte declares the event a huge success.

“Remembering Mike Wallace” by Professor Steve Klein

This article has no text and instead features an embedded CBS News video commemorating longtime 60 Minutes correspondent and highly respected journalist Mike Wallace, who passed away earlier this month. The video is about forty minutes long and provides great insight into the life, career and accomplishments of one of the most prominent figures in journalism for the past century.

“Enough is Enough: Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino is Just the Latest Victim of Unjust Media Exposure” by Cody Norman

This opinion piece uses the case of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino, who was dismissed after it was revealed he had mislead athletic director Jeff Long about his relationship with 25 year old mistress Jessica Dorrell, to explore the often contentious relationship between the media and public figures. Norman asserts that the media often goes too far when it comes to revealing the private lives of its subjects and that journalists’ demand to know the personal lives of public figures is irresponsible and undermines journalism as an institution.

“A Visceral Thrill Ride” by Jeffery Giorgi

This is a review of the film Cabin in the Woods from writer and producer Joss Whedon. Giorgi gives the movie a glowing review, emphasizing the mixture of horror and comedy and the thrilling experience he had watching it with an enthusiastic crowd at the theater, calling the film possibly the most entertaining of the year so far.

If Anita McBride could go back in time, and meet any first lady, she said that she would pick, “Dolly Madison –because when the president’s opponents would come to see him, she used her personality and hostess abilities to drive debate; they would leave feeling like friends,” said McBride.

McBride participated in a C-Span video conference on Thursday, April 14, 2011. C-Span was able to include college students from George Mason University, University of Denver and Purdue University in on the occasion as well. McBride answered questions from all three schools and some from Steve Scully, the political editor for the C-SPAN networks.

She informed us of the role and responsibilities of the first lady.

She emplesizied that the position of First Lady is “probably the most important and most demanding unpaid job in the world.” McBride was the White House Chief of Staff for the first lady from 2005-09 for Laura Bush. She also worked through the Reagan, and both Bush administrations.

The job of the First Lady is to pick a focus and an issue that she cares very deeply about. Laura Bush is passionate about reading, so it made sense for Laura to support Education Initiatives, McBride mentioned.

Currently, McBride is an avid member of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council and is a chair on the William J. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She is also a consultant for the executive service firm Global Political Strategies.

As of 2010, McBride became appointed as the executive in residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS) at American University’s School of Public Affairs.

Although I can’t say I have ever heard of Anita Bride, it was quite interesting learning about the actual roles and the support staff involved with the our First Ladies of the White House.

Anita McBride was the Assistant to George W. Bush (wonder what kind of weird stuff she was asked to do) and was the Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush.

Most of the work she was involved with was education, global literacy, women’s rights and developing the youth of our nation

Being on televion was once again cool, although I do believe the old rumor of the lens adding 10 pounds har har har.

I didn’t really have any good questions for Mrs. Bride, but it was cool to talk to somebody who was this close to the W during his term as US President.

I wonder if she is still getting job offers?

Women might actually be the people who run the White House.

Former chief of staff to George W. Bush Andy Card held a C-SPAN interview on April 7 with political editor Steve Scully and students from George Mason University, Purdue University and the University of Denver.

Card spoke openly with the group of students and shared stories that gave insights to his duties when working with the Bush administration, an administration Card described as misunderstood.

“He made the tough decisions,” said Card about President Bush, “He had presidential courage.”

Card used the attacks on 9-11 to demonstrate pressure he dealt with during his time with Bush. He recalled when the attacks happened his dilemma whether or not to interrupt the President in a conference.

“After the second plane hit I knew it was Osama but I didn’t know if I should tell the President initially.” Card recalled. “But the main job of the chief of staff is to tell the President everything he needs to know not everything he wants.”

The next few days were very emotional. “My most memorable days at the Whitehouse,” is how Andy Card described the following days after the attacks. These days were marked by speeches by Bush, in churches, on television and on ground zero.

Card ended by stating that history will be kind to George Bush after realizing the challenges he overcame.

Storify is a new digital platform that is great for integrating different kinds of media into one cohesive article. Check out how our reporting team utilized this tool to show all angles of this heartwarming story.

[View the story "Passing the Puck in Therapeutic Hockey" on Storify]

We all love Tweeting about our daily lives. What we think, we what like, what we DON’T like, what thrills us and what is going on around us. Especially, if that something going on around us is BIG.

The royal wedding that will be held this Friday, April 29 has put an end to that. No guest will be allowed to tweet during the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Kate Middleton.

A signal-blocking technology will be installed at Westminister Abbey to obstruct all cell phone usage, according to a Mashable.com article.

The royal family hopes that by blocking this technology, it will cut down on the photos and gossip about the wedding. There will be no annoying guests with distracting ringtones or iPhone camera clicks. And there you have it, one of the biggest bannings of social media in history.

Happy reading folks!