June 25, 2012

For Student Journalists, Sandusky Case Was a Trial by Fire

25PennState-student reporters and editor

Collegian Photo by Sarah Finnegan

Casey McDermott (center), editor in chief of The Daily Collegian, goes over an article regarding the Sandusky verdict with reporters Mindy Szkaradnik (left) and Rachel White on Sunday evening.

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close 25PennState-student reporters and editor

Collegian Photo by Sarah Finnegan

Casey McDermott (center), editor in chief of The Daily Collegian, goes over an article regarding the Sandusky verdict with reporters Mindy Szkaradnik (left) and Rachel White on Sunday evening.

By Brad Wolverton

University Park, Pa.

Early Saturday afternoon, in a basement office of The Daily Collegian, Pennsylvania State University's independent student newspaper, Casey McDermott and Anna Orso sketched out a dozen stories on a white board:

"Verdict—Mindy. What's next?—Rachel. Legal analysis (ASF). Curley/Schultz update—Jess. Freeh report—Horn. Employee training—Casey. Victim advoc.—Liz. Second Mile—TBA. Student rxn piece—Piano. Football