DOMINCANJEDI

Résumé

JOHN DAVID LONG-GARCIA

E D U C A T I O N

GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION
M.A. Theology May 2004

Studies in theology including work specifically on Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Plotinus, and more contemporarily on John Paul II (whose thought was a focus of thesis).

DOMINICAN SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY
MA Philosophy May 2004

Studies in all areas of the history of philosophy, including work specifically on Aristotle, Hegel, Heidegger, Freud, and Wittgenstein. Thesis on Julin Maras (a lesser known Spanish philosopher) in the discipline of philosophical anthropology.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
B.A. Journalism May 2000
B.A. Psychology May 2000

W O R K E X P E R I E N C E

August 2004-present — Managing editor, The Catholic Sun
(Circulation fluctuates between 115,000 to 125,000 households with an estimated readership of more than 260,000. It is the second highest paid circulation newspaper in Arizona)

  • Editor of La Comunidad, the Spanish pages of The Catholic Sun Phoenix Diocesan newspaper
  • Manage freelance writers, correspondents and staff writers. Duties include story assignment and coaching
  • Editing, layout design, photos, reporting (features, briefs, news), photo editing, some Web work, blog contributor

July 1999- May 2000— OUTREACH MINISTER

Newman Center Student newsletter, Hispanic Outreach, Tempe, AZ retreat organization, weekly emails to students.

J O U R N A L I S M A W A R D S

  • Second Place for Best Feature Writing: "Amid desert dangers, humanitarian group works to save lives," Catholic Press Association May 2006.
    • J.D. Long-García writes about a fascinating and little-known occupation — people who come to the rescue of dying immigrants attempting to cross the border. These people don't sit in judgment; they help.
  • Award of Excellence (First place) for series on understanding the immigration debate Associated Church Press in April 2007:
    • “These are very well-written articles that help the reader better understand and feel the human dilemmas associated with the immigration debate, and how Christian believers are extending compassion. The human stories add a strong emotional component to the writing,” wrote Ken Waters, a professor of journalism at Pepperdine University and a former magazine editor.
  • Honorable Mention, Newspaper Design, Spread or Story: The Catholic Sun for “Follow Me —Answering God’s Call,” J.D. Long-Garcia, designer, May 17. From the Associated Church Press in April 2008.
  • Award of Excellence (First Place), Photography with Article or Cutline: Newspaper/News Service/Newsletter/Website The Catholic Sun for “Marchers Call for Reform," May 17.
    • “The photographer has anchored the compositions well, placed himself extremely well, found interesting people and specific circumstances. Excellent work!”
  • Best News Writing (Award N2c — Local/Regional 40,001+ Diocesan Paper) First Place, The Catholic Sun, Phoenix, Ariz., “Series on Immigration Reform” (received May 2008)
    • In a category full of well-written pieces, J.D. Long-Garcia’s series on immigration reform and its impact on the Church and those on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border strikes a chord. Theological and political philosophies are defined and challenged in an informative series of stories that are marked by their inclusiveness, their poignancy and their irony. Whether you agree or disagree with the Minuteman who patrols the border during the “April Muster” or, conversely, the immigrant who would rather make $400 a week in Phoenix versus $40 a week in Juarez, the stories and the photos from this series leave you wiser as to the motivations behind the numerous people who have a stake in what remains an emotional, divisive and often misunderstood issue.
  • Best Investigative News Writing (Award N4a), Third Place, The Catholic Sun, Phoenix, Ariz., “Dangers Along the Road Less Traveled: Desert Deaths Continue to Rise” a
    • J.D. Long-Garcia wrote a compelling story about the efforts of “No More Deaths” to give aid to people attempting to cross Arizona’s deadly desert from Mexico. Illegal immigration is a messy political topic these days, but Long-Garcia made very clear the importance of humanitarian aid.
  • Best Feature Writing (Award N8c — 40,001+ Diocesan Paper), Second Place, The Catholic Sun, Phoenix, Ariz., “How Do Minutemen Figure into Immigration Debate?”
    • J.D. Long-Garcia takes a dispassionate and even-handed approach to this story about the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps which helps the U.S. Government guard the border. He addresses interesting questions about whether the group is a vigilante force and how it deals with the immigrants who are trying to find lives for themselves in the U.S. He avoids the trap of putting black hats and white hats on the characters he portrays, instead shining a light on the complex issues that make the immigration issue so difficult to resolve.
  • Individual Excellence Writer/Editor (English Only) (Award A10a), First Place, The Catholic Sun, Phoenix, Ariz., “Series on Immigration”
    • J.D. addressed immigration, an issue important to all Americans, and framed it in a way that Catholics could easily understand the Church’s approach to the issue. He dug deep and put a human face on the story. Outstanding job!
  • Winner of 2008 Catholic Relief Services Eileen Egan Award.

For more on the awards The Catholic Sun has won with J.D. Long-García on staff, visit The Catholic Sun Web site, here and here.

S P E C I A L S K I L L S a n d A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S

  • Bi-lingual (Spanish).
  • MacIntosh®and IBM Computer literate. Competent in Quark Xpress,®Word,® Excel,® Photoshop.®
  • Member of the National Honor Society in High School
  • Involved in various Community Service activities including awn service for the elderly and the poor, food drives, holiday festivities and social activities with the mentally handicapped children and at nursing homes.
  • Recipient of the 1994 Harvard Book Award.
  • Religious Education teacher at St. Timothys 1995-1998 (Seventh and Eighth grade).
  • Coordinator of college age Catholic group at Arizona State University 1997 to 1999.
  • Religious Education teacher at Newman Hall (Berkeley, CA) 2000-2003 (Ist, 3rd, 4th grades, and high school).

T E A C H I N G E X P E R I E N C E

Spring 2005 to Present

ADJUNCT FACULTY Kino Theological Institute, Diocese of Phoenix — teach courses in English and Spanish on the Old and New Testaments, the History of the Church, and the Second Vatican Council.

August 2002 to June 2003

LEAD CATECHIST Berkeley Deanery Confirmation — Program Lesson plans, leading meetings with other Berkeley, CA Catechists, retreat planning, regular contact with parents and with other members of the program.

October 2000 to June 2002

1ST, 3RD AND 4TH, GRADE CATECHIST Catechist: Newman Hall Weekly lesson plans, working with other catechists, Berkeley, CA traditional and non-traditional teaching, utilizing an appreciation for the different intelligences of students.

August 1996 to June 1999

7TH AND 8TH GRADE CATECHIST Catechist: St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, Ariz. Weekly lesson plans, working with other catechists, Mesa, AZ group discussion-lecture format.