On April 30, 2024 thirteen SC&I Journalism and Media Studies majors were inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society at a ceremony held in the Rutgers University Alexander Library.
KTA is a college honor society “that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication. Membership must be earned by excellence in academic work at one of the colleges and universities that have chapters. Selection for membership is a mark of highest distinction and honor,” according to KTA.
“The Department of Journalism and Media Studies is dedicated to teaching students to be thoughtful consumers and creators of media,” said Professor and Chair of Journalism and Media Studies Amy Jordan. “It is a mission that has never been more important. We are preparing future citizens, future journalists, future media makers. The students who have been inducted into KTA are supremely thoughtful, dedicated, and talented. They will be the ones to shape the media environment of the next generation. We are confident they will do their part in making the world a better place.”
The induction ceremony began with a welcome greeting from Professor of Journalism and Media Studies John Pavlik, who serves as the faculty advisor to the Rutgers KTA Chapter, and Jordan.
Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Journalism and Media Studies Steven Miller then introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, alumnus T. Sean Herbert JMS’90, a Multi-Emmy-award winning producer at CBS News.
Herbert, who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and political science from Rutgers and a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, has covered 9/11 (he spent six weeks at ground zero); natural disasters including Hurricanes Maria and Ida, and many earthquakes, tornados, wildfires, and mudslides; the COVID-19 pandemic; and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, among many other top stories.
Herbert, Miller said, spoke to the students about the news business and how, by being journalists, the students will be able to have a positive impact on their families, the community, and the world. Herbert said it’s the journalist’s job to share the information with the public that they not only want to know but need to know. Herbert added that his time at Rutgers gave him the foundation for his career and influenced him to accomplish all he has.
Following Herbert’s talk, Pavlik inducted the new KTA members. “Congratulations to the outstanding students inducted this year into the Rutgers chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for journalism and media studies,” Pavlik said.
2024 Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society Inductees
Lauren Bromberg
Erin Burke
Alyssa Chierchia
Amanda Clark
Katherine Costa
Sophie D’Errico
Brielle Fedorko
Eddie Kalegi
Joel Pesantez
Priscilla Senger
David Smith
Juan Teira
Andy Tonato
Learn more about the Journalism and Media Studies Department on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.
Read more SC&I news about T. Sean Herbert JMS’90: “Reporting on the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: “I saw Great Sadness in Their Eyes, and Great Fear.”
Photos and captions: Courtesy of SC&I Associate Dean for Programs and Professor of Journalism and Media Studies Susan Keith.
Top: The Journalism and Media Studies Kappa Tau Alpha inductees with chapter advisor Professor John Pavlik and JMS Chair and Professor Amy Jordan.
Middle: CBS News producer and Rutgers Journalism and Media Studies alumnus T. Sean Herbert speaks to students, parents, and faculty during the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society inductions.
