Harold Pierce
Years with el Don: 2012-2014
Role: Staff Writer to News Editor to Editor in Chief
Where are they now? After Harold’s time at the el Don, he became a journalist at the Central Coast and Central Valley. In 2018 he got into healthcare communications.
What is your favorite memory of Bud?
There are, of course, the little things that I’ll remember, like the apple Bud would eat ritualistically everyday at lunch and wash down with a green amino acid drink, or the way he would humbly brag about his physique. The memories that I’ll remember best, however, are the times that Bud pushed us to be our best. High-pressure, on-the-spot lede writing drills in class with Bud gave me serious anxiety and forced me to get better. Seeing Bud red-line all the passive language in my copy shamed me into writing more actively.
What was the best advice you received from Bud?
Bud’s best advice came in the wat he helped us navigate how to cover news. We should cover news fairly, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be compassionate when covering hard subjects. We should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. We should hold truth to power. He taught us to be passionate about the work and helped us see the importance of it.
How would you describe your experience on the el Don with Bud as your advisor?
When I joined the el Don, I was already a college graduate. To this day, I consider being a part of the el Don to be one of the very best experiences of my life. It gave me confidence, a fulfilling professional career as a journalist and some experiences I won’t ever forget.
When you’re on staff at the el Don, the newsroom becomes something like a second home, and people in it like family. Bud wasn’t just a teacher or adviser – he became a mentor and friend.
Farewell message…
There’s no more important job in this country than that of a journalist keeping watch over their community. The exception, I believe, is the job of a professor who has diligently taught them. For decades, you’ve worked so hard to educate generations of young journalists who have gone on to make the communities they’ve served better places. I can’t thank you enough for being so infectiously passionate about journalism and inspiring so many to pursue this important work. I’m so grateful to you for believing in me, not letting me fail and always being there for me when I’ve needed you.
Wishing you and Jeane a beautiful retirement.
