I compliment WSQ on the fine article by Dave Newhouse, '64, paying tribute to USMC Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, '71 and '73. Had Jackson remained in SJSU's Army ROTC, I have no doubt that he would have earned stars in that proud service.
Robert W. Foy, '59 and Army ROT C '59
Reading Mansi Bhatia's excellent "News in Transition" article in your summer issue was a sobering and saddening experience. My 1969 SJSU degree is in journalism with reporting and editing emphasis. In the ensuing 40 years I've never worked as a reporter -- a job for which I feel I was superbly trained. Rather, I used those skills and insights to write in public relations and advertising. Yet I believe the lessons learned all those years ago -- impartiality and honesty -- guide me still. I sincerely hope newspapers as we know them can be saved. But I'm not optimistic.
Let me take this opportunity to commend the WSQ staff and the Office of Public Affairs for the consistent quality of SJSU Washington Square magazine. I served as editor of its predecessor, The Spartan, in 1968. You've come a long, long way.
Larry Coy, '69 Journalism
Bhatia's "News in Transition" article in the summer issue was so informative and reflective of current changes in journalism. So great to learn Dr. Bentel's alive and still kickin'. Dr. Bentel and Professor Dolores Spurgeon changed my life forever in the early '70s when I was a journalism student. Following Dr. Bentel's advice, I got involved with SDS, worked in the journalism department office, and wrote for the Spartan Daily. In time I earned my degree in journalism, followed immediately by a master's in mass communication, recommended and pushed by Bentel and Spurgeon, who even helped with the cost of my books. This all led to a fulfilling career with four departments of Hawaii's state government. I retired as communications director for the Department of Education over a decade ago. I continue to write (four books, two columns, and hundreds of articles published under the name Gael Mustapha) and to teach creative writing through community colleges and senior centers. Much credit for the joy and success in my life must go to the SJSU journalism department's Dwight Bentel and Dolores Spurgeon.
Gael (Gouveia, Mustapha) Doyle, '72, '73 Journalism
See VIP, celebrating Spurgeon. --Ed
SJSU Lecturer Michael Stoll's comments in the "News in Transition" article are right on. Blogging, tweeting, etc. do not necessarily a journalist make.
Aldo Maragoni, '90 Journalism
Mansi Bhatia was right on to say that there has always been citizen journalism and it will never replace real journalism. And I loved the ending quote from Bentel that the medium does not matter. That is the one thing journalists are (finally) starting to figure out. I love that Bentel is 100 years old and probably has been saying that for a while.
Kyle Hansen, '08 Journalism
Kudos for "News in Transition," one of the best articles I've read on the challenges facing news reporting. I plan to do a blog posting about it. I retired from the news game in 2000, after a 40-year span split between UPI and AP. The profession doesn't seem like much of a "game" anymore.
James O. Clifford, Sr.
You have done such a wonderful job setting the tone for such a wonderful magazine and my favorite alumni magazine! You've always ensured that WSQ embodies both the university's tradition and its progress. Not a small task, and one you made look effortless. Best wishes to you, Sylvia!
Heather Cook Mc Gowan, '00 Political Science
We’d like to hear from you. SJSU WSQ welcomes letters to the editor regarding stories in its pages. Letters accepted for publication may be edited for clarity or space and may not necessarily reflect the views of San José State University.
Send correspondence to WSQ Editor / SJSU / One Washington Square / San José, CA 95192-0005 or via email.
Read Washington Square Fall 2009.
Read articles, watch videos and tell us what you think. Join us on Facebook.
print
email