Participants in the 2008 Adventure WV: J-School program work on a challenge course at Chestnut Ridge Park in Monongalia County, W.Va. 10 By RaChEl flUhaRty, PhotoS SUBMittED By PRoJECt PaRtiCiPantS
Mission Statement The Adventure WV program was developed to orient and transition new students for life at WVU. This is accomplished through the use of wilderness to create opportunities for personal development and friendships. The program is built on quality, fun and care for the environment. A small group of incoming School of Journalism freshmen got a head start on college last summer through a mix of outdoor adventure and handson journalism. For seven days between June and July, these students participated in the first year of a journalism-only Adventure WV program. They earned three credits and built lasting friendships while whitewater rafting on the New River, hiking up to Seneca Rocks and photographing the sunset at Spruce Knob, <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong>’s highest point. In addition, the group visited community media outlets, such as The Pocahontas Times and WVMR, and met with journalists and media Front: Elizabeth Mazezka, Allyson Nedzbala. Second: Alex Belfiori, Anna Jo Morris, Leigh Ashby, AJ Faleski, Melanie Hoffman. Back: Katie Culver, Emily Corio, Greg Corio, Jonathan Vickers. professionals to learn about future career possibilities. In Spring 2007, SOJ adjunct instructor Emily Corio and her husband Greg Corio, director of WVU’s Adventure WV program, approached Dean Maryanne Reed with the idea of creating a journalism-specific trip. Dean Reed brought the idea to Director of Advising Jan Boyles. Both saw the trip as an opportunity to recruit top freshman students and help them adjust to college life. “I had a really smooth transition from high school, and I think most of it is because of this trip.” “First-year students are always concerned that they will feel like a number at WVU,” Boyles said. “But I believe this trip significantly allayed those concerns. We’re a small college with an administration that knows the importance of community. And this trip demonstrated that continued commitment to a student-centered environment.” The program brought together journalism curriculum and adventure activities and offered students lectures and discussions on topics relevant to college life, including underage drinking, developing good study habits and accessing WVU resources. Program participant Melanie Hoffman said she learned a lot about what WVU has to offer. “We did activities that required us to memorize things like the Carruth Center, what was offered there, where the writing workshop was, where the math workshop was, things like that. “The reinforcement made us realize that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it,” Hoffman said. “It’s better to ask for help than — Melanie Hoffman adventure 2009 realize it’s too late.” In the fall semester, the students enrolled in a journalism orientation class taught by Boyles, where they wrote papers reflecting on their experiences and produced multimedia stories about their summer adventure. They used photos they took on the trip and audio clips of the interviews they conducted with media professionals and each other. Students who participated were enthusiastic about their experiences and believe the School should continue the program. “I just think it prepared me for all of the good and bad things that could happen,” said Hoffman. “It motivated me to do well because I was aware of all of the opportunities I had. I had a really smooth transition from high school, and I think most of it is because of this trip.” More on the Web Watch a video about the Adventure WV: J-School experience at http://journalism.wvu.edu (See “Featured Projects”) The Adventure WV: J-School program continues in July 2009. Visits are planned with media and communications professionals in Morgantown. Participants will also tour Martin Hall, The Daily Athenaeum and U-92. They’ll continue their adventures in southern <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong>, including whitewater rafting, hiking and rappelling. 11
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