Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

JIM MCWILLIAMSAmong his many activities,Jonathan Reimer ’08 VSB, afinance major, re-activatedThe Villanova Times, a studentnewspaper on campus. Publictelevision is featuring Reimer ina documentary on the views oftoday’s young adults.Jonathan Reimer ’08 Is “Generation Next”BY ANTHONY MAALOUF ’08 G.S.Reporters and crew from the PublicBroadcasting Service (PBS) wereon campus April 19 filming JonathanReimer ’08 VSB. A finance majorwith a minor in political science, JonReimer is active in his church, campusand Lancaster County communities; worksfor two Amish businesses; and is an entrepreneurialstudent journalist. He is one ofseveral young Americans being featured inthe PBS documentary “Generation Next.”PBS correspondent Judy Woodruff, aformer CNN anchor, hosted four “GenerationNext” segments on “The NewsHourwith Jim Lehrer.” Her interviews also werein a one-hour documentary in January andwill appear on a sequel this fall, includingthe segments with Reimer. Woodruff hasbeen traveling the country to talk with16-to-25 year olds who have grown up withthe September 11 terrorist attacks, the Columbineand Virginia Tech massacres, andthe Internet boom, asking them about theirviews on the day’s most pressing concerns.The public television crew also filmedReimer working on an Amish constructionsite, where he talked with Woodruff aboutissues facing today’s college students. Shehad interviewed Reimer’s sister, Charissa,and her fiancé, Charles Mitchell, for thefirst segment. Photos taken during theseinterviews can be viewed on www.pbs.org/newshour/generation-next/documentary/trip1.html (click on “Northeast Slideshow”).Postings from Reimer’s two-weeke-mail exchange debating the war in Iraq withAndrew Cox, a Yale University student, areat www.pbs.org/newshour/generation-next/dialogue/iraq/dialogue1.html.During their visit to Villanova, thePBS producers spotlighted Reimer’s dayto-daycampus life. They filmed segmentsin one of his favorite classes, Russian ForeignPolicy, taught by Dr. Jeffrey W. Hahn,professor of political science.“I can see why they chose Jonathan,” saidDr. Hahn. “He is one of my better students;always on time and ready to answer questions.He is a truly nice young man,” he added.PBS shot footage of Reimer walking tohis West Campus residence hall and havingdinner with friends. The crew cameback on April 21 to film footage of campustours and a fundraiser, as well as the students’philanthropy tables.Reimer’s campus activities include beingan officer in the Villanova University CollegeRepublicans; a member of Villanovansfor Life; and part of a group of VillanovaChristians who attend Covenant Fellowshipin West Chester, Pa. From New Holland,Pa., he works part-time at StoltzfusMeats in the Ardmore Farmers Market andon construction with an Amish companythat specializes in residential framing.One achievement that Reimer is particularlyproud of is joining with otherstudents in reviving The Villanova Times.This independent, student-run publicationhad been dormant for a few years beforehe became involved.“We brought it back with a fresh approachthat made the paper a strong competitor ofthe student paper, The Villanovan,” Reimersaid. “Having The Villanova Times up andrunning diversifies the media community,”he added. Reimer recently stepped downfrom his editorial position, but still contributesto the paper as a writer.This summer, Reimer participated in thetwo-week Geo-strategic Journalism Course inPrague, Czech Republic, and Washington,D.C., sponsored by the Collegiate Network, anational group of alternative student newspapers.Reimer also interned with LincolnFinancial in Philadelphia.“Generation Next” was funded in partby the Pew Charitable Trusts, the AnnieE. Casey Foundation and the CarnegieCorporation of New York. An additionalgrant allowed for continuing the interviewswith young adults. Visit www.pbs.org/newshour/generation-next.46 Villanova Magazine