Indiana Wesleyan University
  • About

    About

    Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. The University was founded in 1920 as Marion College and is committed to liberal arts and professional education.

    Learn More!
    • Mission and Values
    • Diversity
    • Locations
    • Society of World Changers
    • Administration
    • News Center
    • IWU Profile
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Veterans
  • Academics

    Academics

    Indiana Wesleyan University offers over 280 academic programs, certificates and endorsements in business, technology, education, science, ministry, nursing and more. We offer program options online, on campus in Marion, IN, and at our onsite regional centers in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

    Learn More!
    • On Campus Programs
    • Online & Regional Programs
    • All Programs
    • Colleges and Schools
    • Full-Time Faculty Directory
    • Centers & Institutes
    • Registrar
    • Transcript Requests
    • Academic Calendars
  • On Campus

    On Campus

    God has gifted you with a unique set of gifts—on purpose, and for the purpose of changing the world in a way that only you can. We are here to help you discover, clarify or develop that calling. The world is waiting.

    Learn More!
    • Admissions
    • Majors
    • Apply
    • Financial Aid
    • Student Outcomes
    • Visit Campus
    • Transfer to IWU
    • Life Calling & Career
    • Value of IWU
  • Online & Regional

    Online & Regional

    Whether your intent is to complete an associate degree, finish your bachelor's degree, prepare for special education licensure, enter the world of higher learning with a master's degree, pursue a doctoral degree, or earn one of our many certificates, our education programs are designed specifically for your busy lifestyle.

    Learn More!
    • Academic Programs
    • Admissions
    • Financial Aid
    • Online Experience
    • Locations
    • Transfer Students
    • Military Students
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Apply Now
  • Login
    (myIWU)
  • Athletics
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Wesley Seminary
  • More about Indiana Wesleyan University
    • Employment
    • Human Resources
    • Transcript Requests
    • IWU Bookstore
    • Jackson Library
    • WIWU TV
    • IWU Systems
    • Event/Conference Services
Communication & Theatre
  • Academic Programs
  • Faculty
  • Our Students
  • Off-Campus Opportunities
Navar Watson on phone

Learning News in the News Capital

May. 05, 2014

You can start learning journalism in the classroom, but sophomore Navar Watson found there is nothing quite like honing your talents in the news laboratory of Washington, D.C.

Watson, Convergent Journalism major and sophomore (Noblesville, IN), spent spring semester 2014 in the capital as part of the Washington Journalism Center, a program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, open to member schools such as IWU.

The students of the Washington Journalism Center

The center includes a full 16 credits of coursework in news writing and reporting fundamentals, and includes approximately 20 hours a week at internships in D.C. news organizations that will give the students published writing assignments. After interviewing several places, Watson was offered a position at Catholic News Service, a worldwide organization that serves over 100 Catholic-focused newspapers and online publications.

Julie Asher, National Editor and Intern Coordinator, praised Watson’s writing abilities and interest in religion news that led to good story pitches. “We do interviews with them beforehand, knowing that each intern has about two or three options they can pick. And when we talk to a good one, like Navar, it’s kind of like, ‘oh…I hope he’ll pick CNS’,” Asher said.

Watson’s daily assignments quickly dropped him into the busy life of a D.C. reporter, commuting to work on the subway, learning bus schedules and lots of walking. His Metro transit pass and many phone calls took him to stories he would never have experienced as a student journalist on campus. He traveled to Philadelphia to interview a Holocaust survivor who had a 25 year correspondence with Pope John Paul II.

The newsroom at Catholic News Service, Washington, D.C.

In March, he spoke with three religious leaders – Catholic, Evangelical and Muslim –  from the Central African Republic, meeting in D.C. to raise awareness and seek solutions for conflicts in their country. All three spoke French and Watson had to conduct his interviews through a translator. Once completed, one of the leaders told the translator he was “pleased to see a young American journalist ask such direct questions.”

Watson was surprised by the response. “I’ve always viewed myself as an indirect sort of person and therefore not a very good journalist,” he said in an email. “I suppose my time in D.C. has made a bigger impact on me than I thought.”

The experience will indeed shape Watson as he returns to IWU as a junior and co-editor of The Sojourn in fall 2014. Throughout the semester, his internship challenged him with real-world reporting assignments and his WJC classes developed his skills and exposed him to some of Washington’s brightest professionals.

Watson’s daily commute took him by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America.

Watson’s daily commute took him by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America.

“You have these wonderful leaders in the (WJC) program guiding you through the discussion of being a Christian and being a journalist…You get to hear from so many interesting people…coming in and doing guest lectures…their passion and their desire for news, to report and tell stories is inspiring no matter what field you go into.” Watson said.

Read these stories from Watson’s CNS work:

Holocaust survivor and poet says Blessed John Paul II man of compassion

Central African religious leaders hope to mend relations among citizens

Go inside the Catholic News Service newsroom:

 Next Post Previous Post 

Related Posts

Theatre students compete at regional theatre festival

Jan. 25, 2019

Tricia Skiver walks to story assignment in Rapid City
IWU Intern Goes Big in KOTA Territory

Jul. 05, 2012

Kendra seen her stage managing the production at Faeries, Sprites, and Lights at Minnestrista in Muncie, IN.
Theatre Interns Make Summer Life A Stage

Aug. 24, 2011

Cast of Importance of Being Earnest at first read-through
Theatre Guild is in High Gear

Sep. 24, 2011

Most Recent

Pre-Health Care Sciences Program
Jan. 06, 2023
Donovan Edward holds his large scholarship check from the Indiana Broadcasters Association
IWU Communications student receives $5k broadcasting scholarship
Apr. 11, 2022
Collin Foote
Young IWU marketing alum establishes $1.5M business
Mar. 28, 2022
A photo portrait of Jonah Atkinson
IWU alum composes music for Xfinity Olympic commercial
Feb. 17, 2022
A photo of GE Digital CEO Scott Reese
IWU alum Scott Reese named CEO of GE Digital
Jan. 28, 2022
Kyle Ferguson is baptized by Dr. Lo in
IWU Student Experiences Life Change in New Testament Course
Jan. 24, 2022
Business students stand in a classroom presenting a check for the Grant County Rescue Mission
IWU business classes raise $2,885 for Grant County Rescue Mission
Dec. 14, 2021
Indiana University Wesleyan Logo
IWU Music Therapy grads earn 100% pass rate for certification board exam
Nov. 17, 2021

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.

More Info

  • Financial Aid
  • Wesleyan Students
  • Tuition and Costs
  • John Wesley Honors College
  • Athletics
  • Global Engagement
  • Study Abroad
  • IWU-Marion Majors
  • Student Handbook
Virtual Campus Map Schedule a Visit Request Info Apply Now

Indiana Wesleyan University
4201 S Washington Street
Marion, IN 46953

admissions@indwes.edu
866-468-6498

Facebook /indwes Twitter @indwes Instagram @indwes YouTube YouTube ZeeMee ZeeMee Parent Blog Student Blog LinkedIn LinkedIn

Legal Notices  |  Title IX  |  Employment

Indiana Wesleyan University

Copyright © 2023