Student Reporters Share Faith-Focused Olympic Coverage

December 2024

Three students with American flag in front of Olympic rings
Courtesy BYU News

A group of 18 journalism students and 2 professors traveled to Paris to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics; they wrote stories, created social media content, and produced broadcasts about Olympians who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or affiliated with BYU.

“It was the culmination of my studies,” says recent graduate Jocelyn Moody. “I had a lot of years of writing and interviewing under my belt, so it was a great opportunity to take what I learned and just go at it.”

The BYU group met daily to discuss story ideas before going to various venues to interview athletes and their friends and family members. During the games, they produced 180 stories—including a race recap of the 5,000-meter finals run by Whittni Morgan and an article about missionaries sharing the gospel during the Olympics.

“I learned a lot about being a journalist,” says Jordan Burr, a senior studying journalism. “Yes, we were in Paris, but we also needed to produce stories.”

Applying what they’d learned in class in Paris was an option thanks in part to donors who support the School of Communications and the Kennedy Center for International Studies.

Read more at https://news.byu.edu/intellect/byu-journalism-students-highlight-olympic-athletes-stories-in-paris

President's Report Stories

BYU

BYU’s Positive Momentum

As we near Brigham Young University’s sesquicentennial, our campus is charged with becoming “a Christ-centered, prophetically directed university of prophecy.” We have come a long way in nearly 150 years.

BYU|International Studies

Orchestrating “Awe and Wonder”

Alana Portzline needed one final capstone experience—to record a full orchestra playing her original composition. But doing so would require some travel.

BYU|BYU Broadcasting

Scripting Uplifting TV

With a nearly three-to-one ratio between students and full-time employees, BYU Broadcasting gives students a wealth of opportunities for hands-on, real-world training in media and entertainment.

BYU|McKay School of Education

Building Language Empathy

With only six weeks left on her mission in Salem, Oregon, Rachel Edmunds was asked to serve in a Spanish-speaking area. It was an eye-opening experience.

BYU|College of Humanities

Crick or Creek? Studying the Utah Accent

Savannah Jepson conducted a study of accents in Lapoint, Utah. “I’m the only linguist I know of that has conducted sociolinguistic research in the Uintah Basin.”

BYU|Religious Education

From Soldier to Shepherd

Since middle school, Thomas Garsnett dreamed of a career in the military. He envisioned himself “knocking down doors and blowing things up.” Something changed.

BYU|College of Nursing

Advocating for Neurodivergent Patients

Nursing student Gabby Sutton-Clark has made it her purpose to assist the often-underserved community of neurodiverse patients.

BYU|College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Field of Data Dreams

“During my freshman year, one of my professors mentioned that working in baseball and statistics would be an option for me. Until that point, I didn’t even know that type of career path existed.”

BYU|College of Fine Arts and Communications

Student Reporters Share Faith-Focused Olympic Coverage

A group of 18 journalism students and 2 professors traveled to Paris to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics.

BYU|Marriott School of Business

Running the Track, Classroom, and Boardroom

Before graduating and becoming an elementary school teacher, Brenna Porter set a BYU record in the400-meter hurdles.

BYU|Knight Society

Couple’s Love for BYU Is On Display

David and Debra Gehris have miraculous and unlikely BYU stories, beginning with their religious upbringing.

BYU|Marriott School of Business

Becoming BYU: Strengthen the Student Experience

Students come to Brigham Young University seeking a unique collegiate experience. And no other university has the same expectation for a commitment to excellence alongside a mission to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.

BYU|Fulton College of Engineering

BYU Students Set Record at 2,340 MPG

Imagine traveling 2,340 miles on one gallon of gas. For the BYU Supermileage Team, that’s not a hypothetical.

BYU|College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences|College of Fine Arts and Communications Video (4:07)

BYU's Latest Truman Scholar

Jane Drinkwater exemplifies BYU’s aim to prepare students for “lifelong learning and service.” 

BYU|J. Reuben Clark Law School

Academies Program Leading to Litigation Law

Jessica Dofelmire, a rising 2L and first-generation college student, became interested in litigation law. She was able to further explore this field during the academies program. She is excited to expand her professional network and be a resource for future law students. 

BYU|Fulton College of Engineering|College of Life Sciences|College of Nursing Video (6:26)

Researching the Effects of Air Pollution in Nepal

An interdisciplinary BYU research team traveled to Nepal to measure brick workers’ exposure to pollutants and to assess their respiratory health.