J.D. Lasica reminds us of how independent journalism came to Rutgers

J.D. Lasica knows a thing or two about using media (and social media) to advance the public good.

A gathering looms — one of former staffers of The Daily Targum, the student newspaper at Rutgers University, where both Lasica and I (though a few decades apart) learned valuable lessons about what it means to be a journalist.

Lasica won't be there, but he reminded those of us eying the invite of how the Targum became an independent paper — and therefore an independent voice for the Rutgers community. Some time back, he wrote a great summary about the role alumni played in the late 1970s and in 1980 — and how perhaps their greatest contribution to the betterment of student journalism at Rutgers was their recommendation that the Targum untether itself from an institution that could stifle its expression at any point.

It's a worthwhile read — and a good reminder that we should never forget our roots, or hesitate to push those who come after us to do amazing things.

Take a look here.

PS: J.D., we've never met, but we more recently extinct Targum dinos will have a drink in honor of you and all the other ex-Targumites who are continuing to to great work, and who helped lay the groundwork for the fantastic hands-on journalism education we enjoyed.