Watching my life change

It's interesting what goes on in your head when you are told that you are about to embark on an experience that will change your life. I have heard it before: when I started college, when I left home to start a "grown up" life of bills, when I had my daughter. I never heeded much caution, though. I never really paid attention to what my life was like at that moment so I could later reflect on how I changed. As I heard speaker after speaker tonight tell me that I never would be the same after this weekend, I decided I would listen this time. I will use this blog as a record. It will tell who I was as I waited for my big change. So, I am excited and anxious. I am ready to hear, see, touch, smell and even taste the next three days. I am relieved that there is a room full of people who still believe that there is a future for journalism. I hope that they will show me how I can be a part of that future.

-- Connie Llanos, education reporter, Daily News, Los Angeles, and California State University-Northridge

Waiting and wondering

It was 6:50 a.m. and Jack Marsh, vice president for diversity programs at the Freedom Forum, was no where to be found. He was supposed to pick me up at 6:45 a.m. to take me to the airport. Normally, this would not be a big deal; it's only five minutes. But anyone who knows Jack Marsh knows that he operates like a well-oiled machine and he is never late. When he finally arrived at 6:55 a.m., I knew this was going to be an interesting few days. So far, it has been. I have met some fascinating people and became reacquainted with some old friends. I am looking forward to the next three days. I am looking forward to learning more about the wonderful people around me. I am looking forward to learning more about what I, very gratefully, call my career. But most of all, I'm looking forward to Jack Marsh -- and everyone who knows him -- reading this entry.

-- Craig Henry, online journalist, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D., and University of Oklahoma

Welcome!

Orientation for the Spring 2007 class of Chips Quinn Scholars begins Thursday evening at the Diversity Institute in Nashville, Tenn. Thirteen journalists have been named Springs Scholars. Read about them and two Summer 2007 Scholars who will join them at orientation.