Ohio University Student Wins National Geographic Internship

Contact: Landon Nordeman, cell phone: (917) 678-6992 Editors: A photo of Landon Nordeman is available on the Web at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/NORDEMAN_LANDON.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (May 18, 2001) -- Ohio University graduate student Landon Nordeman has earned a prestigious internship as a photojournalist with the National Geographic Society. Nordeman, a photojournalism major in the College of Communication's School of Visual Communication, was selected from 300 applicants for the professional experience.

"This is a huge honor and a dream come true. Working for National Geographic is like the Super Bowl for college photographers," Nordeman, a New York City native, said. Nordeman will begin the 14-week internship, which includes a stipend, in September.

Nordeman will work out of the publication's Washington, D.C., headquarters. He is uncertain of his assignments, but the internship will allow Nordeman to gain a first-hand view of National Geographic's photography process.

"I can learn a lot by being around photographers of this quality. Having the opportunity to see their operation and view the editing process in itself will be a tremendous learning experience," Nordeman said.

Nordeman was selected primarily on the basis of a 30-photo portfolio he submitted. Of the 10 finalists, six are Ohio University students, and the university has produced three of the most recent recipients.

"Landon has good, solid journalistic sensibility combined with a creative eye that gives good artistic impact to his work," School of Visual Communication Director Larry Nighswander said. "He blends content and creativity quite well." Nighswander is a former assistant director of the Illustrations Department for National Geographic.

Nordeman currently is a graduate assistant photographer in the Ohio University Office of Media Services. As an undergraduate, he earned a bachelor's degree in American studies from the University of Virginia, where his career developed as a photographer with the school's yearbook.

"Suddenly, photography became almost an obsession. I needed to photograph everything," he explained.

Nordeman honed his craft during newspaper stints with the Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Va., and the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va.

This summer, he will be continue to use his photojournalistic skills while working for The Monitor, a newspaper in Concord, N.H. Nordeman graduated from St. Paul's Prep School near Concord.