Alumni Memory: Jason Moscovitz, BJ ’73
Lessons Learned
Thinking back I remember many things even my student number. I have no idea why 51 years later I still remember it. From 1969 to 1973 I have many memories of the School of Journalism but there was one particular class in October 1972 I will never forget. It was an evening class in Southam Hall with Professor Joe Scanlon. A federal election was underway and the class was discussing election related projects. Being into politics I suggested we get involved in a local campaign to see how communications worked. It wasn’t an easy sell but once there was enough support we set out to define how best to do it. That discussion went in circles until Professor Scanlon said the best way to do it was to run our own candidate. Somehow at the end of the class I found myself the independent student candidate in Ottawa Centre. How did that happen? I learned in life how most bad decisions are driven by ego which leads to faulty judgement. What I didn’t realize that night was how many of my fellow journalism students were already freelancing. I got home and faced media call messages. I had someone screen any other incoming calls because I was at least wise enough to know as the independent student candidate In Ottawa Centre I had nothing worthwhile to tell the media. After a sleepless night I marched myself into Scanlon’s office and told him I was not going to do this. He let it go without the slightest attempt to change my mind. Over the next couple of days other professors made a point of telling me it was a dumb idea and it is no less dumb so many years later. – Jason Moscovitz (BJ ’73)
Alumni Memories are part of Carleton Journalism’s 75th Anniversary.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in 75th Anniversary - Alumni Memory
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