Kristian Hernandez Wins AU-Pulitzer Award

By Bill Gentile

WASHINGTON, DC, 20 April 2018 — Dean Jeffrey Rutenbeck takes time outside the School of Communication to congratulate graduate student Kristian Hernandez for having won the 2018 AU-Pulitzer Center International Reporting Fellowship.

It is Rutenbeck’s generous support that funds AU’s continuing partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

Kristian’s winning proposal for the fellowship explores what is being done by the U.S. and Central American governments to repatriate the remains of hundreds of migrants who die each year in pursuit of the American Dream.

In El Salvador and Guatemala, he will visit the grave sites containing the remains of two migrants he helped recover for a story as an immigration reporter with The Monitor newspaper in McAllen, Texas.

During interviews at human rights groups, consulates and with forensic anthropologists, he will determine how bureaucracy perpetuates the long, dark night suffered by thousands of families unable to find closure and peace over their missing family members.

This story will be part one of a three-part series that starts in Central America and continues in Mexico and ends in Texas. As part of this project he will write a 2,500 word story with photographs, and on-camera interviews.

(Photos by Bill Gentile)

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American University Launches NAHJ Chapter

By Bill Gentile

WASHINGTON, DC, 19 April 2018 — American University has launched a chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the leading organization of its kind in the United States.

The organization’s mission:

“The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists.

NAHJ is governed by an 18-member board of directors that consists of executive officers and regional directors who represent geographic areas of the United States and the Caribbean. The national office is located in Washington, D.C.

NAHJ has approximately 2,000 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals and journalism educators.”

The launch of this chapter is part of American University’s continued efforts to establish our institution as a leader in diversity and inclusion across the United States.

Students do not have to be Hispanic to join the NAHJ. Nor do they have to be journalists or journalism majors. Staff may join as students.

I am serving as faculty advisor, and will announce planning sessions and official launch event as soon as possible.

Bill Gentile

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