From One Journalism Major to Another
During my first journalism class at Biola, I remember Dr. Longinow, chair of the department, saying that “excellence is the intolerance of the merely adequate.” Each day we are challenged to not just succeed, but to excel in our work. The professors are always there to encourage and advise us. We are encouraged to learn from each other as much as our professors, which fosters humility, teamwork and trust. The faculty at Biola is driven by a passion to see us succeed. They refuse to let us blend in with the crowd or forget that we represent Jesus Christ when we go about our work.
More important than excellence as a writer, photographer, broadcaster, or PR professional, however, is excellence as a person of faith. Though not every interview can (or should) turn into an initiative evangelism session, we are to be Christ to everyone we encounter in our work as students, interns and, eventually, professionals. If Christ does not remain our first love, then our lives truly amount to very little. At Biola, passion for journalism is second to passion for Christ. We are to represent Him in our reactions to people and situations, in the motives behind the questions we ask and in our desire to tell the truth.
At Biola, journalism isn’t about finding the juiciest scoop or snagging the most front page appearances. Instead, it’s about asking the right questions of the right people and getting to the real truth of the matter. Journalism is about interacting with the people who have insight into what really happened, why it happened, and how it happened. Journalists have the distinct privilege of being the first to record history and it’s our responsibility to do so with integrity. We’re called to be more than reporters; we’re called to be truth-tellers.
Excellence and truth are the lifeblood of Biola’s journalism department. When I consider this and reflect on the role Christ plays as the focus of the department, I know my education and journalism training are in capable hands.