A few reflections as I finished my term as national president of the Society of Professional Journalists … In a surreal, unforgettable, yet wonderfully ordinary moment, a stranger in the hotel elevator this week in Columbus asked me what this “journalist thing” happening at the hotel was all about. I explained SPJ. Immediately, she said, “Well, that’s amazing. Journalists are so important. What an incredible group of people. They really matter.” I smiled. I nodded. And I was nearly in tears because of how simple, genuine and profound the exchange was. I knew I was representing America’s oldest journalism organization for one more day. It was an unexpected moment that put a perfect exclamation point on this journey as I stepped off that elevator and headed to my final SPJ event as president. During my farewell address at the SPJ President’s Reception, my message was clear: It is a privilege to protect and fight for our First Amendment and press freedom rights. The U.S. Constitution and its generational significance have always been part of my “why.” The flag. The colors. The stars and stripes. A free press is a critical piece of our American democracy. Then, now and forever. But I also caution and remind my fellow journalists and media workers: While journalism matters, we have an enormous responsibility to practice it ethically. To be balanced and fair. To seek truth and report it. To minimize harm. To act independently. To be accountable and transparent. The very core of SPJ’s Code of Ethics is a North Star for our profession’s morals and values. Don’t abuse it. Don’t misinterpret it. Live by it. This past year has been both fulfilling and gratifying. It never felt like a burden because when you believe in something bigger than yourself and work alongside like-minded and like-hearted people, the work gets done and the impact is real. Finally, good luck and Godspeed to Nicole DeCriscio, our new SPJ president. She will hit the ground running, and as immediate past president, I’ll be rooting for her success and for the continued evolution and innovation of this organization. My term as president may be over, but my commitment is not. I’ll forever advocate for SPJ, for its mission, for journalists and for the freedoms that allow us to do this work. What a privilege it has been. 🇺🇸 🫡 #SPJ #Journalism #FirstAmendment #Media #PressFreedom #Leadership #Democracy

An outstanding day at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and a meaningful way to close my tenure as president of the Society of Professional Journalists. Alongside incoming SPJ President Nicole DeCriscio, SPJ International Community Chair Dan Kubiske and former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Lisa Kubiske, I spent the day sharing experiences, answering questions and connecting with the next generation of journalists. We began with 105 first-year journalism students, many taking their first journalism class. We spoke about our careers, our purpose and what keeps us committed to this work. My message was simple: Believe in something bigger than yourself. In a fundamentals of online journalism class, I walked students through my career and 25 years of change across print, digital, mobile, broadcast, streaming, AI and strategic communications. Then I joined 100 communications law students for a conversation about First Amendment rights and the freedoms we have a responsibility to protect. We capped the visit with university leaders and a proclamation from the mayor of Athens officially declaring it SPJ Day. Outside of our national conference this week, this was my final official event as SPJ president. I couldn’t imagine a better setting than a campus with such a deep commitment to journalism education and an extraordinary SPJ chapter. These conversations and moments of mentorship mean as much to me as I hope they do to the students and faculty. I will always treasure the opportunity to listen, share and help someone see what is possible. Here’s to another 117 years of SPJ. The work matters. Journalism matters. Our First Amendment matters. #SPJ #OhioUniversity #JournalismEducation #PressFreedom #FirstAmendment #USA 🇺🇸