Oklahoma student newspaper adds DC correspondent
Oklahoma student newspaper adds DC correspondent
As OU Daily figures out its election coverage
Localize. Localize. Localize.
That’s been Kevin Eagleson’s approach in Washington, D.C., as a correspondent for OU Daily, the University of Oklahoma’s student newspaper.
“It's definitely very hyper-local,” Eagleson said about finding stories with OU ties in the nation’s capital. With many university alumni in the district, “I knew there would be a lot of opportunities — just not as much as I have found.”
He has been writing about everything from alumni association gatherings to Oklahoma congressional delegates and how federal bills might affect the university.
With a presidential election looming, OU Daily was able to create the Washington correspondent position this semester, thanks to a partnership with the university-run wire service Gaylord News.
Here’s how it happened:
The university sends students to Washington each semester through Gaylord News. Eagleson wanted to go but didn’t want to lose a scholarship he got from OU Daily.
A compromise was reached.
“He's working about 10 hours a week for Gaylord News and about 6 hours a week for us,” said Peggy Dodd, OU Daily’s editor-in-chief. “We were just really, really lucky that this came to fruition.”
Dodd asked Eagleson to find OU or Norman, Oklahoma-related angles, like federal funding that could impact the community or OU professor projects in Washington.
“We still have that campus tie, but we’re getting that national angle of this massive election that no one really knows what’s going to happen,” Dodd said.
For Eagleson, being in Washington as a political reporter is a dream.
The senior just joined OU Daily in January, covering city politics, housing and nonprofits in Norman.
That experience prepared him for his current role, where he’s again hyperlocalizing larger stories.
“It did feel a little bit like I was underprepared at the beginning,” he said. “But I’ve kind of overcome that and I think I’ve been able to hit the ground running because of the experience that the Daily prepared me with.”
In Washington, Eagleson said he has learned more about professional networking than journalism.
“It’s a place where you really always have to be networking and making sure that whoever you’re talking to remembers you,” he said. “It’s a place that thrives on connections and networks and you’re not going to get very far if you’re not making those connections.”
Planning election coverage
With the election less than two months away, Dodd said OU Daily is still figuring out Eagleson’s role on Nov. 5.
“I don’t know what that scene really looks like,” she said. “We’re figuring it out slowly but surely, and it’s definitely a learning curve.”
Eagleson has covered how the presidential campaigns are engaging Gen Z voters, though it’s been challenging to find Oklahoma-specific stories, a solidly Republican state — let alone OU-related stories.
“There’s obviously not much activity from the Harris campaign to sway over Oklahoma voters, I’m not sure they’re spending a dime in Oklahoma,” he said. “It’s been a little difficult, admittedly, but I’m definitely always on the hunt for.”
On election night, Eagleson expects to be out late covering for both Gaylord News and OU Daily, with hopes of providing live updates.
Back in Norman, known as a “blue dot in a sea of red,” Dodd said the newspaper plans to hit all of the more than 40 polling locations in the city.
About 34 staff members, including three editors, 16 reporters and 15 photographers, will be involved.
“It's going to take a lot of feet on the ground to really just capture who is voting, why and what that environment is like,” she said. “And I feel like that's part of that gauging that history and story.”
💬 I want to hear from you: How is your student publication covering the 2024 election? Are you doing something unique? Reach me at nutgrafnews@gmail.com.
Student Journalists & Election Coverage:
Mark your calendar and join us at this panel Thursday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. (ET) to hear from student journalists — including Peggy Dodd from OU Daily — on how they’re covering the 2024 elections.
More information and RSVP here!
Story Spotlight:
🚩 The Wright State Guardian and Flyer News, both in Dayton, Ohio, near Springfield, fact-checked the viral pet-eating claim former President Donald Trump made. They checked on how the city was doing after the debate.
🗳️ The Purdue Exponent reported this month students can’t vote on campus. However, after an “intense” backlash, Purdue University proposed having an on-campus voting site.
🎲 The Wildcat of Brea Olinda High School’s editorial board urged people to register to vote by recalling how a local school board seat was determined by a roll of dice due to a tie. “Had just one more Brea resident voted, a citizen’s voice — not luck — would have determined a powerful local position.”
📰 Indiana Daily Student editors made a case as to why physical print issues still matter in the digital age as the university is developing a financial plan for the newspaper’s future — “one we’re still in the dark about.”
🚽 The State Press published “a slightly silly, but also practical, guide” to the top 5 weirdest bathrooms at Arizona State University. No. 1 comes with a scenic view.
Featured Opportunities:
Iowa Public Radio is hiring a news fellow with an application deadline Sept. 30 (today).
Student News Live is looking for student journalists nationwide to contribute to live student-produced election coverage.
SPJ is accepting entries for The Liberty Awards for college newspapers that print election editions throughout October.
PEN America is hosting a webinar about combating disinformation during the election season Oct. 2.
The Texas Tribune is hiring student fellows for multiple roles in Austin and Washington, D.C. Apply before Oct. 13.
Hearst’s applications for the Houston Chronicle Visuals Internship and an investigative journalism fellowship in Connecticut are open until Oct. 18.
Texas Observer is hiring an intern to cover the Texas 2025 legislative session. Apply before Oct. 25.
Central Desi is hiring New Jersey-based reporters for its fellowship program. Students and recent grads are welcome to apply by Oct. 31.
Marketplace DC Bureau is looking for an intern for spring 2025.
NBC Connecticut is looking for candidates for its 2024-25 Political Focus Producer Internship.