SIU Carbondale Journalism Students Set to Chronicle Inauguration Day Live from D.C.

Students from SIU Carbondale’s journalism program are set to travel to Washington, D.C., later this week to report on President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. From left to right are Dominique Martinez-Powell, Carly Gist, Lylee Gibbs, Ryan Grieser, Enan Chediak, and Will Elliott. (Photo by Russell Bailey)

January 14, 2025

SIU Carbondale journalism students will journey to D.C. to report on Inauguration Day

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Six journalism students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale will gain practical experience covering President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.

The students will make their way to Washington, D.C., for events commemorating the occasion and activities associated with the inauguration. Among the stories students intend to cover are Illinoisans traveling to Washington to celebrate or to demonstrate, security measures around the U.S. Capitol, and a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial that morning. Both Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day fall on Jan. 20.

Alee Quick, interim faculty managing editor of the Daily Egyptian, the SIU Carbondale student-operated campus publication, described the trip to Washington for the inauguration as “the ultimate hands-on journalism lab experience.”

Media availability

For additional information or to arrange interviews, contact Alee Quick, interim faculty managing editor, Daily Egyptian, via email at [email protected].

Students will plan their own journey, including logistical arrangements, travel, and packing warm clothing layers along with battery chargers as they “experience making history,” Quick noted.

“News reporting serves as the initial historical documentation, so they will have the opportunity to understand what it means to be at the forefront of writing history and the responsibilities that accompany this role,” Quick expressed. “Inaugurations are always marked in history, but this one carries a distinctive historical significance. They’ll learn about sequential reporting, handling breaking news, and the need to be flexible as events unfold. They’ll experience both the joys — and difficulties — of reporting from the road.”

Students excited to report

Julia Rendleman, an assistant professor at the School of Journalism and Advertising, mentioned that students were keen to journey to Washington regardless of whether Trump or the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, emerged victorious in the November 2024 election.

“I admired their perseverance,” remarked Rendleman, who was a journalism student at SIU Carbondale in 2008 while covering then-President-elect Barack Obama’s election night victory speech from Grant Park in Chicago. “As journalists, we report on whatever occurs, irrespective of party affiliations. The students understand this, and they were eager to cover the inauguration.”

Quick added that students “anticipate witnessing some fascinating threads of history intertwining on that day.”

“Some students have also suggested exploring the fashion and attire during the inauguration,” she stated. “Trump’s supporters are known for their vibrant fashion at rallies, and we aim to observe their attire for this significant, celebratory occasion.”

Students will acquire knowledge on crowd coverage

Prior to their departure for Washington, the students engaged in exercises focusing on reporting during large crowds and challenging news scenarios. Quick expects thrilling coverage, highlighting that “this group of students showcases a diverse range of talents.”

“We have exceptional photographers, outstanding reporters, skilled writers, and proficient videographers,” she stated. “This team is capable of anything. Expect to see a wide array of reports from D.C. — striking photographs, captivating writing, and videos that’ll immerse you in the experience.”

The participating students are:

• Enan Chediak, senior, art (photography), Herrin, Illinois.
• Will Elliott, freshman, radio, television, digital media and journalism (broadcasting), Downers Grove, Illinois.
• Lylee Gibbs, junior, journalism, Du Quoin, Illinois.
• Carly Gist, junior, journalism and social work, Evansville, Indiana.
• Ryan Grieser, senior, journalism, Fisher, Illinois.
• Dominique Martinez-Powell, senior, journalism (photojournalism) and psychology, Springfield, Illinois.

Their coverage will appear in the January 22 edition of the Daily Egyptian print publication along with online coverage available at dailyegyptian.com on Inauguration Day. Additionally, reports will be shared on the newspaper’s Facebook and Instagram platforms.

Expanding news coverage opportunities for students

Molly Parker-Stephens, an assistant professor in the program, acknowledges Jan Thompson, director of the School of Journalism and Advertising, for her planning and support in this project. Thompson is dedicated to involving students in coverage of significant national news events more frequently and secured accommodations for the trip over a year ago.

“It motivates students to step outside their comfort zones, compels them to hustle, and exposes them to the realities of political journalism,” stated Parker-Stephens.

This live coverage will act as a “launching point” for Parker-Stephens’ public policy reporting class this semester and enhance the “accountability work” of the Saluki Local Reporting Lab within the School of Journalism and Advertising, which Parker-Stephens and Rendleman oversee.

“Most of the students attending are part of my class, and when they return, we’ll delve into covering Trump’s second term,” she expressed. “I’ll motivate them to approach their work with an accountability perspective — monitoring the commitments he makes during the swearing-in ceremony. They will explore essential policy areas such as immigration, education, and social welfare, engaging with real individuals in the region to understand how these policies affect lives and what is at stake. The objective is to cut through the rhetoric, clarify what gets accomplished — and what does not — and analyze who benefits and who suffers.”