Our annual conference is dedicated to the memory of Steven A. Marquez (C’79), a former DP Managing Editor who, tragically, left us in 1987 at the young age of 29. Steven, a proud Philadelphian, was known for his dedicated coverage of local communities while working at the Philadelphia Daily News. His strong ties to the DP community led him to be elected to the DP Alumni Association Board of Directors shortly before his passing.
Schedule of Events
All Marquez Sessions in
Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut St.
Saturday, October 4
Coffee and light breakfast
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
MBA Cafe, 2nd Floor
Keynote Address
Making It Work: Creative Approaches to Reporting in a Changing Media Landscape
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Room 365, 3rd Floor
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
MBA Cafe, 2nd Floor
Breakout Sessions
1:00 - 1:50 p.m.
AI & Journalism
Room 365, 3rd Floor
As AI tools become increasingly integrated into journalism and writing, ethical questions arise around their use. We'll talk about responsible application of AI at The DP.
Book Writing
Room 370, 3rd Floor
Explore the evolving world of book publishing — from emerging trends in storytelling and genre to the changing paths of authorship. This session will cover what it takes to build a career in book writing today, including insights into traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid models.
2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Media, Trust, and the Power of Community
Room 365, 3rd Floor
How can journalists help communities better understand the role of media and its impact on local life? This session explores the importance of community reporting as a tool for media literacy.
Visual & Digital Storytelling
Room 370, 3rd Floor
This session explores how visual and digital storytelling techniques can be used to inform, inspire, and influence audiences across platforms.
3:00 - 3:50 p.m.
How to cover Trump's assault on Universities. Building relationships and finding sources
on campus
Room 365, 3rd Floor
Getting the full story in a university setting takes more than just curiosity — it takes relationships and research. This session will focus on how student journalists can build trust with sources across campus and navigate university systems to access public records and key documents.
Future of DEI in the Newsroom
Room 370, 3rd Floor
This session focuses less on recruitment and more on real-world conflict resolution — both within journalism and across professional environments. We'll explore what it means to work in a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) role today, and the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with it.