Loyola’s Department of Communication and Media held its 37th annual Caulfield Lecture on April 3. The event began in 1988, and was established by the family of Clarence J. Caulfield, a 1922 Loyola alumni who spent 26 years as an editor at The Baltimore Sun.
This year’s theme, “Disaster Reporting in a Changing World,” focused on students learning from three experienced journalists about the importance of reporting during natural disasters and tragedies.
Loyola welcomed Danielle Van Pelt, a broadcast meteorologist in North Central Florida, Karen Chávez, Executive Editor of The Asheville Times in North Carolina, and Danny Zawodny, Transportation Reporter for “The Baltimore Banner.”
Each reporter spoke about their own experience with different disasters, where their skills and resilience were put to the test. Some of these tragedies included Tropical Storm Helene floods in North Carolina, the intense hurricane season in Florida, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
Zawodny shared his perspective from covering the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, calling the experience “surreal.” During the collapse, Zawodny spoke with the loved ones of those who died in the accident.
He reflected on how the secondary trauma journalists might suffer from, should be discussed and prioritized more often. He provided advice to the audience, saying that experiencing the information first hand helps vivid reporting.
In terms of natural disasters, Chávez shared the intensity of reporting Tropical Storm Helene. She and her small team of five reporters had to cover 18 counties without basic necessities, like water or electricity.
“I’ve been a journalist for 25 years and have never experienced anything like this,” Chávez said.
She described going into the heart of the floods to search for people in need as well as providing them help to voice their stories. Despite the dangers of working in the field, Chávez and her team’s commitment to their local community kept them going.
Van Pelt, who often works 24-hour shifts during severe weather events, described the pressure meteorologists face.
“We’re the ones driving to work during storms when everyone else is told to stay home,”Pelt said.
She reflected on living and sleeping at the station during hurricane season to ensure communities received up-to-date and accurate forecasts.
Panel moderator, Professor Molly Robey, shared her own experiences in meteorology and reporting.
“I was honored to serve as the moderator this year because as a broadcast meteorologist, I am passionate about severe weather preparedness. As an intern at WJAC in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, I witnessed young children running for shelter during the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado outbreak. This moment serves as a reminder of why I work very hard during severe weather outbreaks to protect and prepare those in harm’s way,” Robey said.
Chávez finished with helpful insight from her own experiences to aspiring journalists. She put emphasis on the need for empathy towards people that are being interviewed.
“You have to love the job, but you have to love the people,” Chávez said.
To learn more, visit, www.loyola.edu/events/caulfield-lecture/.
