Backpack Journalism at Creighton University is a collaboration between the Theology Department and the Journalism, Media, & Computing Department. It came about because of a theologian interested in social justice and filmmaking and a journalist and an artist interested in filmmaking and social justice.
Every other summer, a small group of students travels to a community in search of a story. Led by professors Dr. John O’Keefe, Tim Guthrie, and Carol Zuegner, the students immerse themselves in the communities, interviewing, filming, recording, and writing. When they return to Creighton, they take the stories they have collected and develop them into a short documentary film. The Backpack Journalism documentaries have been accepted at several film festivals across the United States. The class has traveled to such far-flung places as the Dominican Republic and Uganda, Bethel Alaska and Nogales Arizona/Sonora.
The next project is scheduled for the summer of 2020 and will focus on deforestation in Eastern Africa.
You’ve probably already heard that John was conferred the title of Elder by the community at Ave Maria. I’ll let him describe it. I just thought I’d share an image so you can at least get an idea of what the event looked like.
John still hasn’t posted his story? You are going to like it. But I bet there are more similar events in the next couple of days. Stay tuned
This picture is gold.
I couldn’t help myself and reposted your picture onto Facebook — a LOT of comments! Thanks for putting it up quickly! How cool. I can’t wait to hear more about it!
Great picture!! Congrats to John.