News Summary
St. Petersburg, Florida honors writing teacher Roy Peter Clark with the establishment of the Roy Peter Clark Chair in Writing and Editing at the Poynter Institute. This new endowment aims to enhance writing education, reflecting the challenges facing journalism today. Clark, who has influenced students since 1977, humorously accepted the honor as locals rally to support journalism education amidst urgent challenges in the media landscape.
St. Petersburg, Florida is honoring renowned writing teacher Roy Peter Clark with the establishment of the Roy Peter Clark Chair in Writing and Editing at the prestigious Poynter Institute. This significant accolade, designed to fortify writing education, was recently announced amid discussions on the future and relevance of journalism education in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
The creation of the chair is part of a new endowment aimed at hiring a dedicated instructor who will focus on writing and editing within the curriculum of the Poynter Institute. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as the industry faces significant challenges, including declines in traditional revenue models and increased scrutiny and criticism from political figures.
Clark, who has been associated with St. Petersburg since 1977 and has taught writing at the Poynter Institute, expressed a light-hearted reaction to the honor. He humorously suggested that a plaque in a bathroom stall would be a better fit for him than a formal accolade. However, he soon learned that he would receive a much more prestigious recognition in the form of this new chair, which has an estimated cost of $500,000, in stark contrast to his favorite $29 chair at home.
The Poynter Institute, founded in 1975 by the late Nelson Poynter, has a long-standing reputation for impacting journalism education through various seminars, conferences, and workshops. Over the past four decades, the institution has expanded its outreach globally, influencing writing programs as far afield as Scandinavia, South Africa, and Singapore. At the same time, it has never overlooked its local roots, providing educational programs for high school and college students in the area for more than 30 years.
Clark is no stranger to accolades; he already has a literary prize and a writing contest named in his honor. His dedication to the craft of writing and the teaching of it has not only impacted countless students but has also solidified the Poynter Institute’s role as a leader in journalistic education.
In light of the current crises facing journalism, Poynter is undertaking efforts to revitalize its teaching programs. The aim is to emphasize principles of good journalism while adapting to the changing landscape. Clark and his wife have contributed the first $1,000 to the chair’s endowment and have extended an invitation for others to contribute as well.
The Poynter Institute encourages those interested in supporting journalism education and the new chair to consider making donations via its website. Such contributions are crucial in ensuring that quality journalism continues to thrive in the face of modern challenges.
As St. Petersburg embraces this new chapter in its literary history, the establishment of the Roy Peter Clark Chair in Writing and Editing serves as a testament to Clark’s lasting influence on writing education and the significance of fostering journalistic integrity and excellence in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: Poynter Academic Chair to Honor the Work of Roy Peter Clark
- Editor & Publisher: The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Celebrating 50 Years
- St. Pete Catalyst: Times Settles Lawsuit with Poynter Charitable Trust
- MinnPost: Poynter Leadership Academy Selects MinnPost’s Jazzmine Jackson
- St. Pete Catalyst: Clark Award St. Petersburg Press Literary Event Set for May 13
- Wikipedia: Journalism
