John Nelson Price
Title
Indianapolis-based author, journalist and historian
Associate Faculty - IUPUI
Contact
E-mail: pricejn@iupui.edu
Telephone: (317)
278-5320
Fax: (317) 278-5321
Business URL: http://journalism.iupui.edu
Office Hours
Please email for an appointment.
Education
| University | Degree | Year |
| Indiana University | B.A. in Journalism and Psychology | 1978 |
Honors
2002 Sagamore of the Wabash, which is the highest civilian award given by Indiana's Governor. Awarded by Governor Frank O'Bannon.
2001 Spirit of Philanthropy Award for mentoring young journalists, IUPUI.
2001 Carolyn Churchman Media Award for Excellence in Interviewing.
1995 Sagamore of the Wabash, highest honor given to civilian in state of Indiana. Awarded by Governor Even Bayh for community leadership, integrity and contributions to the state.
1997 Best Sports Writing for profile of the widow of an Indianapolis 500 race car driver, Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana chapter.
1995 Best Feature Writing for profile of Evansville business tycoon David Russell, Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana chapter.
1994 Best Sports Writing for a profile of controversial tennis star Illie Nastase, Hoosier State Press Association.
1994 Best Column for personal column on the 20th anniversary of the death of a childhood friend, Hoosier State Press Association.
1994 Best Feature Story for a story on the reunion of a Greek-American man adopted as an infant with his natural mother, Hoosier State Press Association.
1994 Best Personality Profile for profile of Hoosier astronaut David Wolf, Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana chapter.
1993 Best Sports Writing for "Who Is This Guy Rudy?" a profile of the subject of the movie "Rudy," Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana chapter.
1993 Best Column for "Stories a Form of Eulogy" a column explaining why journalists interview grieving people, Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana chapter.
1997-1998 "Who's who in America" edition and editions thereafter, Marguis Publishing Co.
Media Experience
| Year | Organization | Responsibility |
| 2002-Present | Freelance Writer and Radio Host | Writes free-lance articles for magazines and The Indianapolis Star. Wrote a weekly, personal column for the newspaper and, later, a monthly column about Hoosier history. Host of "Hoosier History Live with Nelson Price!" on WICR FM (88.7) in Indianapolis. |
| 1995-2002 | The Indianapolis Star | Feature Writer/Columnist. Specialize in profiles of newsmakers in politics, arts and entertainment, sports, religion and literature. Also wrote a weekly human interest column. |
| 1981-1995 | The Indianapolis News | Feature Writer/Columnist also was Education Writer, covered eleven public school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, largest school system in state; private and parochial schools; education on a statewide basis, including State Board of Education and educational issues at Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature. Also periodic reporting on higher education in Indiana. |
| 1979-1981 | The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette | Federal courts/social issues reporter, morning newspaper (70,000 circulation daily; 110,000 Sunday) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Beat included all social issues and related agencies-mental health, welfare, discrimination, handicapped, federal housing, the elderly, child abuse, substance abuse, etc. |
| 1978-1979 | The Lawrence Journal-World | City Hall reporter, afternoon newspaper (20,000 circulation) in Lawrence, Kansas. Frequently covered state legislature and police and fire. |
Teaching Experience
2003, spring semester, Feature writing/J315 at IUPUI.
2003-2004, Media Ethics at Franklin College.
2003, Art of Interviewing and Feature Writing classes at IUPUI Continuing Ed.
2003, Art of Interviewing and Feature Writing classes at the Writers' Center of Indiana.
Philosophy of teaching
With my Feature Writing (J-315) class, my approach is very practical (learning-by-doing), with story assignments and in-class exercises set up to mirror the expectations of a working professional journalist. Class sessions are interactive and individualized. They include one-on-one "writing labs" with students during which their stories are dissected line-by-line.
As much as possible, I encourage students to come up with their own feature story ideas because writers tend to flourish when they are focusing on their passions.
In terms of putting a feature story together, we cover the waterfront in the course by seeking ways to enhance everything from our interviewing and lead-writing skills to the handling of details and description, story endings, transitions, profiling people and places, and creating features that bounce off the headlines.
Recent Publications
Interview chapter in Real Feature Writing. Fall 2006.
"Indianapolis Then and Now," written by Nelson Price. Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
Written chapters/essays in Real Sports Writing. Indiana University Press, 2003.
Written chapters/essays in Urban Tapestry: Indianapolis Stories. Indiana University Press, 2002.
"Legendary Hoosiers," written by Nelson Price. Emmis Books, 2001.
"Indianapolis: Leading the Way," written by Nelson Price. Towery Publishing, 2000.
Written chapters/essays in Hoosier Century. Indianapolis Star/Sports Publications, 1999.
"Indiana Legends," written by Nelson Price. Emmis Books, 1997 hardcover; 2005 softcover.
Professional Affiliations
- Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame, Vice President of Board of Directors
- Writers' Center of Indiana, Board of Directors
- Society of Indiana Pioneers, Board of Directors
- Indiana Historical Society, Living Legends Committee Member
- Indiana Performing Arts Hall of Fame, Board of Directors
