La Salle Students Sam Scavuzzo and Shannon Curley Will Balance Classes and Activities with Internships at the Philadelphia Inquirer

La Salle University students Sam Scavuzzo and Shannon Curley have a busy semester ahead of them, balancing courses and activities with internships at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Scavuzzo, a Communication major, is editor-in-chief of the school’s student newspaper, the Collegian, while Curley is finishing coursework as a double major in Political Science and Communication. They will work about two full days a week for the Inquirer

Both admit that balancing the Inquirer internship and their schoolwork would pose challenges, but they both agree it is a great opportunity.

“It’s going to be tough limiting myself from writing stories for the Collegian that I would normally jump on,” said Scavuzzo, who is from Swedesboro, NJ. “Writing for the Collegian will take a backseat to being the editor. I’ve read the Inquirer my whole life, so this is a big deal for me.”

Curley, who is from Gilbertsville, PA., said, “I’m a double major, and it got a little complicated toward the end to make sure I got all the classes I needed and still graduate on time, but La Salle professors really went above and beyond in helping me.  They were really supportive. Now everything is worked out, and I’m excited to start working at the Inquirer. It’s really exciting to have this opportunity. I’m grateful for a chance to get experience at such a great paper.”

Huntly Collins, an Assistant Professor of Communication at La Salle, who was a reporter for 18 years at the Inquirer, has taught Scavuzzo and Curley. She wrote recommendations for their applications.

“Sam is a scrappy, never-say-die reporter. He understands the workings of city government and the city’s political infrastructure. He has good street smarts, but also demonstrates the ability to look at the bigger picture,” said Collins about Scavuzzo.

Curley also got high remarks from Collins: “I could see her working for any number of desks at the paper – the City Desk, health and science or features.  Wherever she worked, Shannon would bring enormous curiosity, determination and enthusiasm to the job. And one more thing -- Shannon is also an excellent writer.”

This past fall, Curley was an intern at National Public Radio station WHYY in Philadelphia, writing for its web page section, It’s Our City. Last summer, Scavuzzo was an intern with the Atlantic City Press.

Scavuzzo and Curley are the second and third La Salle students to intern at the Inquirer in the past year. Frank Visco, a 2008 graduate, worked for the paper during the spring semester of 2008.

--Jennifer McShane