TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences journalism department is recruiting high school students to attend the 22nd annual Multicultural Journalism Workshop.

Students who will be in the 9th grade through freshman year in college in fall 2005 are eligible to attend the July 10-21 workshop. The students will study and practice journalism under UA faculty and top journalists, learning how professionals report, write and present the news in print, online and broadcasting.

Students attending the 2004 UA Multicultural Journalism Workshop observed the staff at The Tuscaloosa News as they planned the next day's newspaper.

The workshop is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and is part of the University’s Minority Journalism Program which is designed to recruit minorities into the media. Students who are not a member of a minority group are also encouraged to apply.

Workshop students will have the opportunity to learn print, broadcast and online journalism in the facilities of one of the nation’s leading communication programs. The department maintains a database of all MJW alums that is used by news media across the nation to find top prospects. Former workshop attendees return each summer to mentor the new group. Past participants have joined the media profession with top newspaper, magazine, broadcasting, public relations, advertising and online organizations.

“More than 1,000 minority students have come through our doors and walked out a few years later to take their place as a journalist, one of the most important roles in a democratic society. This workshop was the first step for many of them,” said Dr. Ed Mullins, director of this summer’s workshop and UA Behringer Distinguished Professor of Communication.

Although professionals are present throughout the 10-day workshop, on Visiting Professionals Day as many as two dozen professionals will be coaching the students as they prepare their stories and images for publication and presentation.

Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their interest in a journalism career and completion of an application. Students will receive transportation, meals, housing and supplies. Students can request an application form by writing the Journalism Department, University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, or by downloading the application from www.ccom.ua.edu/mjw. The deadline to apply is April 1.