What Is Home?

The definition of “home” is ever-evolving, and in a state of undeniable flux during transitional periods like starting a new job or going off to college. Journalism students at Gaylord College helped high school students face this phenomenon head-on by answering the question of “What is Home?” through a digital storytelling project. 

The Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing, in partnership with the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, received a $29,800 Kirkpatrick Foundation grant to fund the project. Nancy Snow, professor of philosophy and director of the Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing at the University of Oklahoma, headed the project and described it as having a goal of not only identifying an answer to the question of “What is home?” but also developing key characteristics of great storytellers, such as curiosity and open-mindedness, to kickstart the influx of future journalists. 

In fall 2020, 12 students from Clinton High School and five from Norman High School were selected to be a part of the project after an application process managed by mentors within the school. These students worked on five to 10-minute videos on the topic of “What is Home” during the spring semester, under the guidance of OU Journalism students and a presentation by Snow on virtues and values of effective, meaningful storytelling. On March 8, the students visited Gaylord College and listened to presentations by Dean Ed Kelley, Snow and Mike Boettcher. After a tour of Gaylord, the students received “What is Home?” T-shirts and were encouraged to consider careers in mass communications. 

In May, at the conclusion of the project, the students presented their videos for their parents, superintendents and others interested, with Snow, Kelley and Gaylord’s Lee Reynolds present. Norman High School held its ceremony virtually due to COVID-19 concerns, but had OU’s leadership present via Zoom. 

“The Impact that I saw, specifically with the students from Clinton, though I’m sure some Norman students had the same experience, was an increased interest in going to college and going to OU,” Snow said. 

The project exemplifies not only Gaylord’s dedication to the future and integrity of journalism in our state, but also the Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing’s goals of revitalizing and renewing the study and cultivation of virtue in higher education, advancing the study of virtue through leadership in virtue research, and improving the flourishing of students and of all people in Oklahoma and beyond through effective and inspiring outreach programs. To learn more about this project or the ISHF, visit https://ou.edu/flourish.