The Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation awarded the University of
South Alabama department of communication a $2,000 grant to develop a virtual newsroom Web site for USA journalism courses.
The news Web site will provide both print and broadcast journalism students a forum to post and read news articles. The site will enable better communication between instructors and students through a listing of reporting and writing resources. It will also include information on communication department courses.
Grants from the Alabama Press Association Foundation are awarded each year from proposals submitted by journalism programs in the state. The maximum grant amount awarded is $2,000.
USA’s department of communication faculty members Drs. James Aucoin, professor; and Steve Rockwell, associate professor; will develop the site.
“The underlying benefit, I think, will be the opportunity to create a community spirit among student journalists and faculty,” Aucoin said. “We have been building the quality of our journalism program over the past decade and have made great strides. One indication is the growing number of journalism majors we have. In that regard, I think the grant is another indication that our journalism program is regarded highly by Alabama journalists.”
Rockwell said, “The grant will provide our students with the most advanced tools to learn about the future of journalism. The Web site will serve as a source for students to display their work and save clip files for future employment. We are excited to bring this opportunity to our students.”
The Web site is scheduled to be posted by late 2007. | 
