(via Dan Mitchell) From an article that I can’t get to in the Chronicle of Higher Learning comes this quote:

Jeremy Trumble, Web-services manager at RIT, says that students there are getting the benefits of RSS without even knowing they’re using it. Every student has the opportunity to create a Web portal that presents a personalized version of the university’s Web site, similar to a My Yahoo page. During the customization, students decide which information they would like to have regularly updated. That tells an RSS reader built into the software which feeds to collect. About half the institution’s students have created personalized versions of the Web site through which they get updates on campus news and events.

Ok, now I really want this. Really. This is kind of what I was playing with last year (pardon the formatting problems…) So how do I get it?

Here’s the thing. I’ve been following with interest and as much understanding as I can muster as Tom implements his new student information system for his school, and I’m guessing it’s not a very big leap for him to make something like the above happen at his school. The reason I’m interested is that we’re about to pick a new very closed source SIS that I’m wondering might not have some capability in this area too. It would be great to have the whole ball of wax so to speak. So someone tell me…how do I get it?

So I had them tell me why they wanted to work with a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist this quarter, and while many of them did a good job, this response is why I love the profession.

Hey, Mr. Richardson. And here comes the plea…

Ok, so, I’ve tried writing this a couple of times now, and it always comes
out exactly the same. I tried being sentimental, I tried being enterprising,
I tried to seem like I really, really, really genuinely care. The terrible
truth? I do. I’d love this opportunity as much as the next person, but
that’s just the problem. We all probably have the same reasons for why we
want this amazing experience, and it almost seems to me as though there’s
really no way to pick who deserves it most, because we could all get a lot
out of it. This said, I’m still willing to take some people out to achieve
the ultimate journalistic goal, and that means here and now. So (drum roll,
please) here comes argument one!

I like writing. I like it a lot. And I like news. I like that a lot, too.
And here, in glorious room 614 I have discovered that these thing combined
create this amazing phenomena called journalism that I really get a kick out
of. I read the paper, I write my articles, I take months to pull together
psuedo-school newspapers, and I plan and plan and plan for college and
future and all that good stuff. And yet, there’s still that very basic and
unfortunately excruciatingly important detail that so many of us big
dreamers overlook. You have to be GOOD at this stuff to get anywhere at all.
And what better way to rise above the inherent suck that possesses you than
to learn from the best? I’m a big proponent of learning things from reading
other people’s articles, but I can honestly say that not many articles have
ever affected me in the way that this one did. And when I say this, I mean
that my brain had a serious Bill and Ted’s Amazing Adventure moment –
whooooa, dude. I have respect for this man like I don’t have for many
people, and I can see a lot coming out of this if I’m given the chance. But
I’m not looking to just improve my writing…

Along comes point two! So yes, writing’s wonderful, but what’s the fun in
journalism if you’re not interested in stirring some things up? One of my
major aspirations for my future is to do some serious damage on the bad
stuff in the world. When I say this, certainly don’t deem me ridiculously,
profoundly, and dangerously idealistic. I think it’s only fair for me to be
honest here – I’m secretly Supergirl. That being said, obviously Supergirl
will be playing a pivotal role in saving people all over the world, and the
best way to do this is to expose the ills that so often quietly lie in our
society. It baffles me that someone could do something so amazing as expose
a controversy and tragedy like Scott Higham did, and I’d really like to pick
his brain about it a little bit. After all, we’ve seen the obligatory All
the President’s Men, but I’m sure it would be a little different talking to
someone who’s really done something like this. Really, I can only imagine
what I could do with the right tools to get me started. Inspire me, O great
Pulitzer Prize winner!!!

Finally, the third thing, the dirty secret that I don’t think I’m probably
supposed to mention. My major problem in life? I tend to be ridiculously,
disgustingly dreamy, and as of late that has converted itself into several
little projects that I’m really excited about. In all honesty, I’m tired of
just dreaming, and I really want to see myself improve as a person. Working
with someone who has so obviously done such amazing things could open so
many doors for anyone, and I would be so ashamed to see an opportunity like
this go to waste. If Mr. Higham would allow it and would be willing to
dedicate his time to me, I’d make sure to draw every possible bit of help
that I could out of him. I’m not just talking about journalism here. He
seems like such an incredible man, and I’d love to learn from him about
politics, about how he got where he is today, about what he thinks needs to
change in our world. To pick his brain would be an absolute dream to me, and
my reckless mind absolutely goes into overdrive when I think of all the
wonderful opportunities for knowledge that exist in knowing a man like this.
I’d never want to take advantage, of course, but I would never, ever, ever
allow myself to look back and wish I had done something more to get
everything I can out of this.

And with that, the shpiel ends. But first, I’d just like to have the always
important sappy, honest moment and say that I have the utmost respect for
everyone in this class. If someone else gets this opportunity, so be it. I
have faith that they will make the best of it, and I can so clearly see the
talent absolutely oozing from everyone whenever they discuss their stories.
They’re all wonderful, and I wouldn’t be ashamed to say that I didn’t get
this opportunity because they received the honor. Still, they’d have to
expect that I’d butt in every now and again, maybe suggest a question or
two. But of course, it’s all for the J2 team!

(*Hero’s trumpet call *)

Well, that’s my cue to save the world again. Ultimately, if this doesn’t go
to me, I’m sure I’ll be ok. I just want to know that this experience
doesn’t go to waste. Still, I know that you can’t be a superhero unless you
have more of that whole enterprising trait in your pinkie finger that the
average girl. Onward and upward to brighter days! (That is, with a Pulitzer
Prize winner in tow or not.)

Thanks for wasting your time, Mr. R. Meredith

P.S. Umm…this would be really, really, really cool.
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