UB Spectrum’s distinguished alumni return to define how to make ‘great local journalism’

The ongoing guest appearances of UB’s student newspaper A-List success stories continue Nov. 19 with recent Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara DiNatale and Poynter Institute Managing Editor Ren LaForme addressing “What does it take to make great local journalism?”

DiNatale, who grew up in Lancaster and was chief editor at the Spectrum while majoring in English and graduating in 2015, won the Pulitzer Prize for explanatory journalism for her role in the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Burned” series. This project showed how California’s largest insurers shortchanged wildfire survivors, threatening the recovery and health of whole communities.

LaForme is managing editor at the non-profit Institute dedicated to strengthening journalism and democracy. He assigns and edits stories about journalism and the forces reshaping the news industry.

LaForme started his journalism career at the Spectrum, where he met his wife. After earning his master’s degree in journalism from the University of South Florida, he joined Poynter in 2013. He returned to Buffalo in 2024 and works as managing editor remotely.

The public program is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in University Libraries’ Special Collections space in 420 Capen on the North Campus.

“Everyone – from students at UB to the wider public – is warmly invited to participate in this exciting conversation between English and journalism certificate program alum Sara DiNatale and fellow Spectrum alum Ren LaForme,” says Allison Siehnel, current director of the journalism certificate program and clinical assistant professor in the Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences.

"Sara and Ren will talk about how journalists today report on difficult and deeply meaningful issues, and Sara will give the audience a sense of how she approached her Pulitzer Prize-winning writing, as well as how her investigations have changed laws in ways to benefit everyday people."

"Hard-hitting, investigative journalism has never been more important than it is today, and it is an honor for the English Department to celebrate Sara DiNatale’s Pulitzer Prize,” adds Ruth Mack, professor and chair of UB’s Department of English. “I’m thrilled that our current students will have a chance to learn about the profession and the process from UB grads who were once in their shoes."

Light refreshments will be served. Additionally, the Department of English will welcome undergraduate students to meet with DiNatale the following day for an informal roundtable conversation from 12-1 p.m. Students may RSVP by contacting Allison Siehnel at asiehnel@buffalo.edu. Limited space is available.

The event is sponsored by the journalism certificate program and the James H. McNulty Chair in the Department of English.