SJB Italy

CONTACT INFO                                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jim LeTourneau                                                                        June 15, 2009

james.letourneau@wku.edu

Mac McKerral

mac.mckerral@wku.edu

 Participants Enjoy Diversion from Rome

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Students studying abroad in Italy spent Saturday, June 13, in Florence soaking up the history of the city that came into existence during the reign of Julius Caesar.

Ten students from Western Kentucky University’s School of Journalism & Broadcasting have been in Italy since May 26.  They spent five days in Capri and conclude the trip Tuesday after two weeks in Rome.

The daytrip to Florence provided a nice break from Rome and a chance to see the beauty of a city that served as the power base of the Medici family for more 300 years.

Students spent the day exploring the city, shopping at a variety of Italian leather stores and sightseeing and reporting on Italian leather-making.

Students explored the churches of Florence and saw Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.

“Seeing Michelangelo’s “David” was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Jessica VanWinkle, a public relations major.  “I wish we could have stayed longer, though.” 

The 10 students participating in the student abroad trip are: Americo Capodagli, broadcasting; Jan Diehm, photojournalism; Lee Cox, broadcasting; Dennison, broadcasting; Laurel Mallory, broadcasting; Josh Moore, news-editorial journalism; Melanie Niemann, broadcasting; Angela Oliver, news-editorial journalism; Lindsay Peters, broadcasting; and VanWinkle.

Jim LeTourneau, a broadcasting professor at WKU, and Mac McKerral, a news-editorial journalism professor at WKU, are accompanying the students on the trip and are in charge of their projects.

To follow the group’s trip and see their work, logon to: sjbstudentmedia.com/italy.

Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, Ky., serves approximately 20,000 students. WKU prepares students to be productive, engaged, and socially responsible citizens and leaders of society.  The university offers a variety of bachelor’s degrees and more than 88 majors and 57 minors.  Students can receive associate’s and master’s degrees. WKU also provides extracurricular activities for all students.  To learn more about WKU, visit www.wku.edu.