Feature writing: ‘Plunger Boy:’ How a KU journalism student made himself into a brand
I was challenged by my professor to find an angle that national outlets had not covered yet. I showed readers how Noah Ginsberg, a strategic communications senior, turned himself into a nationally-recognized brand: “Plunger Boy.”
Advocacy journalism: Miller and Watkins to use sleeping porches next year, with COVID-19 concerns among residents
This story is my proudest achievement at the Kansan so far. Shortly after publication, KU Housing revoked its decision to switch to a sleeping porches setting at Miller and Watkins scholarship halls. This article was the top story on Kansan.com for more than a week. It also received a lot of traction from KU students and was commended by many professors at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Advocacy journalism & enterprise reporting: Scholarship halls don’t get sufficient snow shoveling, students say
In this article, I revealed the inequity in campus services between the scholarship halls, which are made of low-income students, and Daisy Hill, which comprises wealthier students. Upon publication, KU Grounds Crew shared the article on Twitter and said it will implement changes.
On the next snow day, early morning of Feb. 2, KU Grounds Crew started an all-hands-on-deck operation, where even carpenters and plumbers were sent to shovel snow in the scholarship halls and salt the sidewalks. On that day, I filmed a video of the KU Grounds Crew operation and posted it on the University Daily Kansan Twitter and Facebook accounts. The video gained over 7,000 views on Facebook and more than 2,500 on Twitter.
Spot news: Lawrence-area Iranian protesters dissent against schoolgirl poisonings
I covered a rally on KU campus, where student protested school poisoning in Iran allegedly carried out by the Iranian regime. I kept my sources confidential and took pictures that do not show faces to protect students against retaliation, a decision that I made after consulting with our editor. I covered, wrote and submitted this story within an hour.
Enterprise reporting and data: KU international student numbers continue to decline as the US turns inward; more students going to Canada
I investigated the decline in International student numbers at KU using data and interviews with university officials and international students. I compared KU’s statistics with those of other Midwest universities and economic impact. I found my math statistics class (Math 365) particularly useful in this story.
Enterprise reporting and data: COVID-19 impacts KU Housing’s finances, drives students away from dorms
I used data and interviews with experts and students to investigate the decline in the numbers of students living on campus, especially in the scholarship halls, during COVID-19.
Business & data article: KU to replace 40 cashiers with Grubhub delivery app
I covered the expansion of the business relationship between Grubhub and the University of Kansas and its impact on student workers in KU Dining. Then, I connected KU’s situation to the larger context of the COVID-19 impact on the restaurant industry, using data and interviews with students and experts.
Enterprise: Solar Car club loses west campus headquarters after negotiations failed with ku mechanical engineering
I investigated KU’s sudden defunding of a student club called KU Solar Car. I interviewed both sides and examined records of their email communications.
News feature: KU Debate begins spring semester with winning streak
This is a news story that I managed to turn into a mix of a profile and a feature that relates to the University at large.
Abdullah Al-Awhad 