"Remember that a publication is best when it belongs to the students," is a guiding principle of veteran adviser and journalism activist David Wiegand (RPCV Philippines)



"Remember that a publication is best when it belongs to the students," is a guiding principle of veteran adviser and journalism activist David Wiegand (RPCV Philippines)

David Wiegand

"Remember that a publication is best when it belongs to the students," is a guiding principle of veteran adviser and journalism activist David Wiegand.

For 14 years he has advised newspaper and yearbook at Wausau West High School, Wausau, Wisconsin, and he is still at it because as he says, "The student journalists have a greater sense of success because their work is displayed in public (not just on the refrigerator at home) . . .I get to share that elation."

Even after 30 years of teaching, Dave has not lost his energy or zeal. CSPA president Helen Smith told how one of her students who participated in an editor exchange with Wausau West came back "brimming with enthusiasm about the journalism program there."

Students in Dave's publications work hard. He extends the school year to include CSPA summer workshops for his students. For several years, Dave drove several of his students in a van into New York City, But it wasn't long before Dave joined the staff teaching the workshop. In additional work for the association, he writes for Student Press Review and serves on the CSPAA's Judging Standards and Practices Committee.

David Wiegand is still inspiring students and enthusiastic himself. In addition to teaching yearbook and newspaper journalism, advising those two publications, writing articles for scholastic journalism publications, teaching workshops and participating in conferences, Dave also manages to be involved in his local teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association, the NEA, Chippewa Vallley School Press Association, Northeast Scholastic Press Association, and the Family Resource Center, where he is on the board of directors.

Dave is student centered and says he gains the most reward from interacting with students, especially those on publications. "The rewards of teachingare akin to the merits of parenting except that there are many more opportunities for me to be excited," he wrote when asked what student journalism means to him. "The advising of student journalism takes that to a higher level."

David Wiegand exhibits the finest attributes of a journalism adviser dedication, hard work, enthusiasm, commitment to his students and the highest standards of excellence in and out of the classroom. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is pleased to award its Gold Key to Dave Wiegand.

When this story was posted in May 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:


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May 7, 2005: This Week's Top Stories "Peace Corps Online" on recess until May 21 7 May Carol Bellamy taking the reins at World Learning 7 May Gopal Khanna appointed White House CFO 7 May Clare Bastable named Conservationist of the Year 7 May Director Gaddi Vasquez visits PCVs in Bulgaria 5 May Abe Pena sets up scholarship fund 5 May Peace Corps closes recruiting sites 4 May Hill pessimistic over Korean nuclear program 4 May Leslie Hawke says PC should split into two organizations 4 May Peace Corps helps students find themselves 3 May Kevin Griffith's Tsunami Assistance Project collects 50k 3 May Tim Wright studied Quechua at UCLA 2 May Doyle not worried about competition 2 May Dodd discusses President's Social Security plan 1 May Randy Mager works in Blue Moon Safaris 1 May PCVs safe in Togo after disputed elections 30 Apr Michael Sells teaches Islamic History and Literature 28 Apr

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May 7, 2005: Special Events "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 Leland Foerster opens photo exhibition at Cal State RPCV Writers scholarship in Baltimore - deadline June 1 Gary Edwards' music performed in Idaho on May 24 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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