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Lions' Chronicle to Host Journalism Banquet on April 12
Written By: Samantha Contreras
The Lions’ Chronicle, a student-run publication at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith students, will host a journalism banquet to celebrate writers across the greater Fort Smith region and Northwest Arkansas at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
“Our purpose is not only to provide networking opportunities for our contributors, but to give local journalists a chance to kick back, relax, and enjoy some entertainment because there’s never been a more stressful time to be a journalist,” said Jonathan Schafer, the Lions’ Chronicle editor and sophomore at UAFS.
Schafer invited journalists with Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Southwest Times Record, as well as alumni from the UAFS Media Communications department for the event which he hopes will become an annual tradition. There will be stand-up performances by River Valley Comics and a musical performance by the Black Diamonds.
“It should be a fun time filled with laughter as we celebrate our hardworking local journalists,” Schafer said.
The Lions’ Chronicle made a comeback this year with its online presence. Schafer said the publication gives UAFS students a voice to write news that brings awareness to current issues and create content that will make a difference in the greater Fort Smith community.
The online student publication has 10 new writers and editors, who work to bring students the latest news through stories and video, focusing on social and political issues, as well as sports and events on campus.
“If we can help even one student become aware of an issue or movement, they had no idea about or help them attend an event with an organization that will change their life, I’d consider our job a success,” said Schafer.
Schafer says the student-run publication is building the program from the ground up due to significant setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are ready with a new website, new crew, and a new purpose.”
The Lions’ Chronicle focuses on supporting quality student-journalism through current event and entertaining reporting, with more than 1,000 followers across social media platforms. Social media gives writers a more accessible medium to provide information quickly and makes it easier for students to know what is happening on campus. Their accounts are on Facebook /thelionschronicle, and Twitter and Instagram @lions_chronicle.
“Through the Lions’ Chronicle, we hope to create an environment of well-educated and world-aware students,” said Schafer. “We hope that our articles and content will help our audience and the overall community here on campus become aware of issues, events, etc., that they wouldn’t know about otherwise.”
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