Story By: Colton Crowe
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and University of Montevallo alumnus, Joey Bunch, visited Strong Hall last Thursday to speak to students about his experience at the university and his career as a journalist.
Bunch told students that a key to success is embracing what makes them different and the trick to writing good stories is to get people to talk about themselves.
Jamie Haas, editor of The Alabamian, helped coordinate the event and said she was intimidated by Bunch at first.
“At first I was scared but, you know, he was so open and he was so humble, which was impressive and nice to see,” said Haas.
Haas also said she admired the courage that Bunch conveyed with the stories about his struggle with mental health.
“He [Bunch] was very open about his story and his struggles and his journey as a writer and also as a person, which was really beautiful to see,” said Haas.
Bunch said it was an honor to be back at the university and to speak to students working towards careers in communication.
“The instructors don’t tell kids what to think but what to think about and if I’ve done anything today, I hope I’ve done that for them,” said Bunch.
Bunch also said he hopes students in the Mass Communication Program have the same career as he has had.
“I’ve done work that is meaningful to me and that’s made me feel good about myself, and I wish the same for the students,” said Bunch.
Bunch graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1985 and went on to win a Pulitzer-prize in 2013 with his coverage of the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting. Throughout his career, he has worked at a variety of newspapers across the country where he is currently working as the senior political correspondent and deputy managing editor for Colorado Politics.
Vallo Vision News 