Kean Ocean to now hold journalism classes starting Spring 2021

By Ruben Nieves | Published by September 22, 2020

The Kean Ocean campus located in Toms River has been approved to offer a journalism concentration in their communication major starting in the Spring 2021 semester. Students from the campus will have the opportunity to be involved with Kean’s school newspaper, The Tower.

The decision to add the journalism program to the campus was approved in June 2020 by Kean Ocean and Ocean County College. Professor Courtney Atkins of Kean Ocean gave her thoughts about The Tower now coming to Kean Ocean.

“The Tower is an award-winning publication in the college journalism scene, and we applaud our many alumni who carved careers in this field” said Atkins.

Professor Atkins, who participated as an undergraduate in the college newspaper, is excited for the students of Kean Ocean to receive the opportunity to train as journalists through The Tower. She believes the classes of the journalism program will give the students the opportunity to explore the importance of ethics and the power of storytelling.

“We are excited to have Professors Pat Lauro and Lois DeSocio lead our way to help incorporate the journalism track here at Kean Ocean” Atkins said.

Professor Lauro, the director of journalism and advisor of The Tower at Kean’s campus in Union, shared her thoughts on the new journalism courses and The Tower now being a part of Kean Ocean.

“Anything that advances journalism is a good thing for democracy. I’m all for it, and we are excited to be adding Kean Ocean coverage to The Tower” said Lauro.

Professor Atkins is beyond excited to have journalism courses and as well be a part of the Tower for the spring semester.

“I am beyond stoked to see this opportunity come our way” said Atkins.

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