For my Writing for Interactive Multimedia class, my partner, Dierdre, and I went around our college campus and it’s surrounding area to talk to students, meet people, and take photos of what we think makes this little corner of the world interesting and unique.

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Be prepared for this thread to grow as we touch upon the things that peak our own interest, should be reported to those around us, and follow the guidelines of this journalism classes’ assignment. It is a scavenger hunt, after all!

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

All tweets related to and involved with this thread will be tagged with #JPW250s19 if you want to follow along our with Trenton/Ewing x TCNJ reporting.

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Freshman psychology major, Camille Germo, says her favorite spot to eat nearby is, luckily, just on the outskirts of campus. Newly opened Frutta Bowls has become a hot spot for many people both off and on the TCNJ campus. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/Xqe3x86dbu

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

“I have been a vegetarian for the past three years. The new addition of Frutta Bowls has helped me sustain my eating habits in college. Also, the store is basically on my campus, which is even more convenient!” – Camille Germo #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/iiYQEF8nDj

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Professor and web developer, John Kuipoff, helped TCNJ receive a $25,000 grant in 2017 to implement a Makers-space classroom in the AIMM building that allows students of all programs to use a wide range of technology and resources to truly build things and be creative. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/FHAuchdG7u

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

A fan favorite and staple to the TCNJ campus is Lake Seva, which lines the north and east edges of campus. Many people don’t realize that the lake continues and wraps around the north end of campus, making here an even more peaceful, scenic spot to sit by and enjoy. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/qergmJfnyb

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Little known fact about TCNJ is that it is home to the David Sarnoff Collection. Housed in Roscoe West, this mini-museum allows students and faculty to immerse themselves in the history of this valient force of the television/radio industry – right from its beginning. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/hlDOfkGN3x

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

WTSR 91.3 fm is TCNJ’s non-commercial, educational radio station that promotes their slogan “Open Your Mind” by playing music and talking about music events that are local, underground, and on the rise. Both students and outside volunteers can work there. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/tNJfPHYtiI

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

TCNJ holds onto many unique traditions, both educational and entertaining. The STEM complex fountain is beautiful, but since it was built over a decade ago, it has become a bonding ritual for freshman to jump into it together during their first week on campus. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/x6AOshnpiu

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Trenton Hall showcases civic spirit by shining a positive, picturesque light on the history of this school and our area in the very first, centered building on campus where people from near and far can get insight on our influence and equally our influences. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/xZtjt9zgHl

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Senior business major & Community Advisor, Gayle Mayani believes that civic spirit on this campus, such as this, is important because “We have a right to know how we’ve evolved as a comminity. Our campus adding onto that with exhibits and historical pieces brings that to light+

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

(con’t) and shows that we are able to be proud of our roots both as a school and as a city. Attention and appreciation is a great way for a school to delve into the civic spirit of being a monument and insitiution in this area now, in the past, and in the present.” #JPW250s19

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

TCNJ student and redbubble contributed, Ilana Weinberg, runs her own graphic design x sticker business right from her laptop for the campus community and abroad, with the help of her art skills, photoshop skills, and college pride. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/EIxvqubRnH

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Ilana says, “I love knowing that people can purchase my stickers or other related products and accessorize their laptops, water-bottles, phone cases, etc. with a design that they feel connects with them.” This Spongebob sticker is one of her most popular designs! #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/rI2EyCRcpr

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

“The most challenging thing about creating my designs and stickers is utilizing different photoshop apps and tools to the best of my ability to create appealing designs.” #JPW250s19

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

“It’s also important to ensure that my designs can be profitable, so making sure that all my designs are unique and personal are challenging but key to my success,” Weinberg concludes, noting that her themed art lets the community become engaged and outwardly prideful. #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/5On6LfTRKd

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

Freshman Chemistry major, Mary Spireas, loved the Ewing Diner long before coming to TCNJ. While she used to grab cheeseburgers at this favorite local business of hers with her family, she now goes with her floormates and friends whenever she has breaks between classes #JPW250s19 pic.twitter.com/jN684lmCyM

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 8, 2019

The education cafe deserves more attention because of its quietness (even tho it IS a communal eating space), friendliness, and quick, but simple design. I believe that it deserves the spotlight as a favorite place to eat around campus by more than just education majors!

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

I would never have known this! That has to be more than half of that graduating class. I would love to know more about that volunteer work and how it came about, whether it be through greek life, another organization, or just students out on their own.

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

This is so relatable and something a lot of people don’t realize about Panera and it’s connection with TCNJ. Yes, it’s a fast food chain. Yes, it doesn’t take swipes or points, but it is a warm, quick change of pace for many students on the go – both on foot and from their car!

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

I feel as though the wall murals throughout many of the freshman dorms go unnoticed by the actual students and faculty here as something more than just color on the cindblock walls. It truly is an artistic expression and bonding moment for these first year students!

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

It’s quite interesting to think that something as common and increasingly mainstream as a frozen yogurt shop has to adapt into a suburban town and community differently because of the trend-savvy students right nearby. Hopefully they are the ones going to the shop to buy them!

— 🦋 (@debrakatex) March 7, 2019

From this experience, I learned that Twitter serves as a perfect platform for sharing information and media with others. It especially makes it easier to connect with followers on common interests such as news, upcoming events, and ideas. By finding and speaking to students around The College of New Jersey, I was able to grow a greater sense of our campus community’s culture– what common interests and hobbies they all share. Additionally, through this scavenger hunt, I learned about new areas around campus. Before, I was unaware of the David Sarnoff Collection housed in Roscoe West Hall. Overall, Twitter is a great platform for those looking to have their voices heard and their interests shared. -Deirdre Kelshaw
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with Twitter, but mainly as a social media platform primarily and not necessarily as an outlet for journalism. This experience taught me that the social aspect of the website is imperative to what it is and how it’s information gets across through many different facets. Photos, quotes, and in the moment news can be spread out on this app and be searched, reported, and read under specific words, phrases, and hashtags to keep media and posts concise. This can create good networking connections for specific stories, genres, and jobs. I was able to reach other to other students and interact with their reporting through the hashtag alone, and while that helps for clarity and connection, it also allows writers and readers to follow stories over time that are still unfolding while being posted about in the moment. -Debra Schafer