"James Arthur Slater founded the Optimist in 1912." I've heard that statement so many times and said it so often over the past 25 years, it's easy to overlook the true and full story. In the summer of 1912, Jesse P. Sewell was named president of the Campbellite-founded Christian college in Abilene – the fifth president in seven years. He knew ... [Read More…]

Journalists write for an audience. It's an axiom that guides what we choose to write about, how we report, how we choose our language, when and where we publish. It's an essential part of the profession. And so, reporters and editors, columnists and correspondents fail miserably if they don't – or won't – understand their audience. If they ... [Read More…]