Pictured, from left, Grace students Ava Crampton, Emryn Williams, Anabelle Freeman, Elyse Genzink, Alexis Brunswick, Ella Throne, Anna Kezar, Prof. Deb Sprong, Kaitlin Linville, Lois Huang, Lydia Enas and Becca Schuh tour The Papers with instructors Jim Cox and Sprong on Oct. 30. Photo by Jim Cox.

By Anna Kezar
Sounding Board

MILFORD — Journalism students from Grace College toured The Papers Inc. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The trip was led by adjunct instructors Jim Cox and Deborah Sprong to supplement learning in the Layout and Design for Journalists and Introduction to Journalism courses.

The students learned about the printing process from Cox, a long-time employee of The Papers. He showed the uses of the plate machine and drum imagers. They saw 500 copies of the latest issue of the Grace College campus newspaper “The Sounding Board” be printed in minutes.

“Observing the newspaper printing process was a fascinating experience,” Lois Huang, a student on the trip, said.

Cox then led the students past stacks of 5-mile-long rolls of paper and through both of The Papers’ buildings. Cox told the history of The Papers as a generationally family-owned and operated business.

Deb Patterson, editor-in-chief of The Papers, shared knowledge from her 47 years of journalism experience as a reporter and editor at The Papers. Her insights stemmed from her varied experiences, covering everything from murders to town council meetings.

“My job is to make sure all my writers are busy,” Patterson said.

Each of the eight reporters cover their own beat. The Papers’ partnership with the Times-Union ensures that every meeting and newsworthy event in the region are covered.

Patterson also explained the digital workflow process and project management through the Scoop database which is crucial for organizing the 11 publications The Papers oversees.

She concluded with telling the students her favorite parts of her job — the people she gets to meet and that every day is different.