Journalists to Cover Range of Subjects in Regional Spring Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists are hosting the Region 12 Spring Conference on Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, in Fayetteville. Most events will be held in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the U of A campus.

The 2014 Mark of Excellence Award Luncheon will be held at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, April 12, to recognize the best student journalism in the region.

A complete schedule and registration information are available online.

This year’s conference sessions cover Web journalism, data visualization and tools, freedom of information, broadcast journalism and a panel discussion on the environment.

Speakers  include:

Sonny Albarado is projects editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a past president of the society, with more than 40 years of journalism experience.

Brenda Blagg has covered Arkansas politics for more than 40 years, currently as a columnist for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers. She is author of Political Magic: The Trials, Travels and Triumphs of the Clintons.

Steve Boss is a professor in the department of geosciences at the University of Arkansas and director of the environmental dynamics program.

Tracy Boucher is the director of news development at the Los Angeles Times. As deputy innovation editor, starting in 2007, she helped merge separate Web and print operations into a single newsroom feeding multiple platforms.

Peggy Brenner holds a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology and has 14 years of experience in scientific writing and editing.

Chad Day is a reporter with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, specializing in computer-assisted reporting and long-form investigations. In 2013, he won the Arkansas Press Association’s Freedom of Information Award.

Paul Folger has co-anchored KOCO’s 5 News at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. since joining the Oklahoma City station in 2008. He also reports for the station.  

Dan Gilgoff is director of digital news at National Geographic, where he leads the daily content operation for NationalGeographic.com.

Brandon Hollingsworth is the local host of All Things Considered on WUOT-FM, in Knoxville, Tenn. He is also a feature reporter for the station.

Jon Schleuss is a reporter and graphic artist at the Los Angeles Times. He focuses on interactive graphics and database reporting.

Bret Schulte is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Arkansas and a freelance journalist, working as the Arkansas stringer for the New York Times. He is the winner of three Green Eyeshade Awards, which recognizes the best in Southern journalism.

Amanda Womac is a freelance science writer and nonprofit marketing consultant based in Knoxville, Tenn. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the current president of the UT Science Forum.