About us
The following provides general information about the student newspapers, classes in the journalism program and the BC journalism professor, Danny Edwards.
How to reach us
Newsroom: 661-395-4324
Fax number: 661-395-4027
BC journalism professor: Danny Edwards
Office: 661-395-4344
E-mail: daedward@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Newspaper e-mail: ripmail@bakersfieldcollege.edu
History
Bakersfield College’s student newspaper, the Renegade Rip, has been in existence more than 80 years and continues its tradition as one of the top community college publications in the state. Students are instructed on professional standards and do all of the work, from beginning to end, in creating seven or eight biweekly publications each semester. The students also maintain a 24/7 online edition, therip.com, and have produced three editions of the Dissenter magazine in the past two years.
The newspaper publishes in broadsheet form during the fall and spring semesters on a biweekly basis. It distributes 3,000 copies per edition.
Success stories
The newspaper and online edition, once again, earned General Excellence distinction at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges state conference in April 2011. In October 2010, the Rip staff earned General Excellence for newspaper, online edition and magazine, the only school among 35 in the Southern California region to do so. The paper has a long tradition of winning awards and sending students to four-year schools and into the professional world of journalism. Also, several students have been awarded scholarships and internships to help further their educations at four-year institutions.
Journalism classes:
Media and Society
JRNL B1
Instructors: Olivia Garcia, Danny Edwards
Beginning reporting
JRNL B2
Instructor: Danny Edwards
Press Photography
JRNL B15
Instructor: John Harte
Multimedia Reporting
JRNL B16
Instructor: John Harte
STUDENT NEWSPAPER COURSES:
Newspaper production/reporters and photographers
JRNL B27a
Instructor: Danny Edwards
Newspaper production/editors
JRNL B26
Instructor: Danny Edwards
It is strongly suggested that those interested in reporting first take Media and Society, and Beginning Reporting before signing up for the student newspaper. Those interested in photojournalism, should take Media and Society, and Press Photography before joining the paper.
Please contact journalism professor Danny Edwards about the best way to start the journalism program at BC.
About the professor
Danny Edwards worked for 24 years at daily newspapers in California, including 18 years at The Fresno Bee. He has worked in Southern California, the Bay Area and the Central Valley as a sports writer, assistant sports editor, news editor, news and sports copy editor, metro editor, front-page designer and probably some other things he’s too old to remember. Before coming to BC, he advised the student newspaper at Fresno City College (2000-2002) and taught newswriting at California State University, Fresno, before accepting the position at Bakersfield College.
Edwards is starting his eighth-year as the only full-time journalism professor at BC. He is a product of community college education, graduating with an AA in journalism from Monterey Peninsula College in 1978. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State (1980) and a master’s degree in mass communication from California State University-Fresno (2004).
Instructor’s philosophy: Awards are fine, but the main goal is for students who complete the Bakersfield College journalism program to move to the next level of education with the knowledge and skills needed to make a seamless transition. Staff members on the student newspaper work in a professional-style environment with the most updated equipment and instruction. Students who aren’t journalism majors often learn something that helps them in other fields of study or employment.
