Sophie Gordon

Journalism-News Major

Ball State University

Aspiring media lawyer, with a focus on First Amendment rights

Sophie Gordon

Journalism-News Major

Ball State University

Aspiring media lawyer, with a focus on First Amendment rights

Student has prepared for SGA president position since freshman year
Editor's note: Sophie Gordon is currently the press secretary of SGA, but was not at the time she wrote this story. This year’s Student Government Association president has been preparing for the position since he was a freshman at Ball State. Now in his last semester as president, Jack Hesser and his slate have already accomplished many of their original platform points.
New SGA adviser, director of student life assumes role
The Student Government Association celebrated its new adviser Nov. 18 with a reception after Student Senate. Melissa Ginotti was hired as assistant vice president of student affairs and director of student life in October and assumed her role in November. Part of her duties includes advising SGA. Kevin Carey, assistant director of student life, advised SGA before Ginotti's hiring.
SGA to reward BSU's 'Hidden Angels' with Emens tickets
Some staff members who go above and beyond their jobs will be rewarded by the Student Government Association starting next month. SGA's Hidden Angels program will recognize these employees with free tickets to John R. Emens Auditorium events. Matt King, SGA at-large caucus chair and head of the Hidden Angels program, said work began on the project last semester, when SGA discussed sending its guest speakers tickets to Emens events.
Atlas slate close to completing 70 percent of platform points
Atlas has already come close to completing 15 out of 21 platform points since the beginning of the semester. Student Government Association President Jack Hesser said 15 of his slate’s platform points are either complete, such as extended dining hours and the installation of a phone charging station, or at least 85 percent complete.
Senators ask students what SGA can do for them
Less expensive parking permits and more diverse dining options were some of the requests the Student Government Association heard while canvassing campus Oct. 7. SGA surveyed students on campus as part of their Blitz Week, which helps promote the organization. Student senators spoke with students to see what SGA can do for them.
SGA's first social justice hour focuses on sexual assault, STI testing
Editor's note: Brianna Kirkham is the Online Managing Editor for the Unified Media iDesk. Sexually transmitted infection testing isn’t covered by Ball State’s student health fee, but Student Government Association’s Secretary of Social Justice wants to change that. Brianna Kirkham addressed the issue at SGA’s first social justice hour Oct. 5, which focused on sexual assault.
Skin bared, stereotypes broken at SGA’s Diversity Day
Twenty-one men and women stood between Bracken Library and University Theatre, blindfolded and stripped down to their undergarments. They were exhibits, part of a Living Museum put on by the Ethnic Theatre Alliance for Diversity Day. Diversity Day, a Student Government Association initiative that took place Sept. 25, involved nine student organizations hosting events on campus to showcase what diversity meant to them.
SGA debuts Diversity Day
An organizer of the Student Government Association's first Diversity Day said he wants to change the way people think of diversity and avoid the stereotypes. Drew Gaidosh, a sophomore interior design major, said as soon as he started working on organizing the event, his view on diversity changed after he started learning more about it.
A life goal of living lightly
Barb Stedman, Ph.D, hasn’t always been environmentally conscious. She describes her teenage self as materialistic, shopping at the mall each weekend without a thought about the impact she left on the planet. But all of that changed Stedman’s sophomore year at Taylor University, when she was required to take an ecology course.
Safety app allows students to virtually walk home with their 'companions'
A new app, similar to one SGA tried to implement last year, is aiming to help college students feel safer on their walk home. Companion, created by five students at the University of Michigan, is a free app that tracks a user’s movement and allows their friends or family, called "companions," to follow their route using GPS.
SGA supports residence hall sexual assault programs with funding
To better educate students about sexual assault prevention, the Student Government Association allocated $500 for residence hall programming. Jack Hesser, SGA president, said they wanted the halls to not have to worry how to finance programs and could improve what they already do to bring more students out.
SGA adds extra shuttle for football games
Editors note: In an earlier version of this story, it said only 98 people utilized Scheumann Shuttle. This was only during the debut round, starting at 5 p.m. The story has been updated to reflect the change and The Daily News regrets our error. In order to give students living off campus a mode of transportation to the games, the Student Government Association introduced the new Scheumann Shuttle at the football opener Sept. 3.
SGA aims for new tradition with football field photoshoot
SGA is hoping to create a new tradition with a photo shoot after the football game Sept. 3. For the Cardinal Project, students will assemble on the blacktop outside the student section of the stands and then move to the field, making a circle around Ball State's cardinal logo. The photo of the group will be printed onto posters for students to pick up at a future athletic event.
New app makes it easier to find drink specials in Muncie
Students looking for drink specials in the Muncie area can now hold that information in the palms of their hands, thanks to a new iPhone app developed by a Ball State student. Jake Sulkoske, a senior computer science major, developed the app, drnk, to make finding local alcohol specials easier for legal drinkers.
Freshmen learn ropes with new SGA workshop
To help new students adjust to life at Ball State, the Student Government Association has started a new workshop that runs for the first five weeks of the semester. The workshop, called Freshman 115, has a flexible curriculum aimed at making the transition to college easier for freshmen.
Cleo’s is in the Village to stay
Cleo’s Bourbon Bar will no longer be moving to downtown Muncie—it will be staying right in the Village, where it has always been. Though there was talk about merging Sir Nacho's Grill and Cleo’s to create Three Amigos, the partnership did not work out. Now, Cleo’s is being remodeled, and owner Chris Ellison is trying to create a warm, exciting atmosphere.

About

Sophie Gordon

Writing

Editing

Coaching Writers

Design

InDesign (Proficient)

Illustrator (Basic)

Photoshop (Proficient)

Premiere Pro (Basic)

AP Style

Multimedia journalism

Storytelling

Copy editing

I am an undergraduate at Ball State University majoring in journalism-news and philosophy. I am an Active Voice Fellow for the Student Press Law Center, where I am working on a project that helps lift girls' voices (theactivevoice.org).

Additionally, I copy edit for Ball State University's student-run newspaper, the Daily News, and serve as the president of Ball State's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. I also work in the BSU Journalism Workshops office as the contest coordinator and copy edit for STANCE, the only undergraduate international philosophy journal.

I am a member of the Honors College, where I am distinguished as a Whitinger Scholar. In addition, I am recognized as an Ingelhart Scholar by the journalism department. I was also the 2013 Missouri representative at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference.