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Two of the associate editors at the Los Angeles Daily Journal — Christian Berthelsen and Evelyn Larrubia — are going off on a couple of the most sought-after fellowships among print journalists. Only Larrubia is expected back, apparently. This afternoon's memo to the newsroom from editor David Houston is after the jump, with notes from the newly anointed fellows.
Noted: Patrick Hirsch, a senior editor at Marketplace, also will be a Knight fellow at Stanford.
There is a downside to hiring smart and ambitious people of the breed that populate Daily Journal newsrooms: they frequently are presented with fantastic opportunities that pull them away from us. Such is the case today. Christian Berthelsen and Evelyn Larrubia were both selected for prestigious fellowships starting this fall. Each of them explains their particular circumstances further down in this email.
Christian and Evelyn both joined us more than a year ago at a time of transition for the Daily Journal. They brought different but equally important strengths that helped us build a fantastic newspaper. I have known Christian since he was a cub reporter. He was always one of the brightest and energetic reporters in the room. There was no question he would rise to the top of the legal profession. Soon after I took this job, I learned Christian had left the Los Angeles Times. Hiring him, if I could, was a no-brainer. I only knew Evelyn by reputation. She was a star at The Times, wrote a series that changed California’s conservatorship laws. When she left The Times, Christian persuaded her to join us. In Evelyn, I found someone else who was sharp and committed to honest journalism. If you were lucky enough to get to work directly with Evelyn or Christian then you know you are a better journalist for it. I urge you to continue to build on what they taught you.
Christian and Evelyn will remain here through the summer, so there will be time for goodbyes. Read on for what Christian and Evelyn are doing …
David
… from Christian
All:
When I arrived at the Daily Journal last year, I was not at all sure I wanted to stay in journalism. I had just been downsized from what was once one of the world's great papers, and didn't know if there was a future for me in this business. I still don't. But I want you to know that you have made me rediscover everything I love about it, and realize that I never want to do anything else. The past 16 months have been among the happiest, most satisfying and fun of my career. I've been proud of the sophisticated work we have produced together and am blown away every day by the talent in this organization.
A new opportunity has come along that I'd be crazy not to accept. I've been offered a slot in the Knight-Bagehot fellowship in business and economic journalism at Columbia University. It's a nine-month program, taking graduate-level courses in Columbia's business, law and public policy schools, and attending seminars led by scholars and business leaders. It starts in mid-August, so if you see me carting around remedial math textbooks between now and then you'll know why.
I'm eager for the new adventure, but am truly going to miss working with such a fine group of journalists. David and I have not decided when my final day will be but I should be here for at least a couple more months. So until then let's keep putting out the smartest paper in town.
Christian Berthelsen, Associate Editor
Los Angeles Daily Journal
… from Evelyn
All:
I am so lucky.
In one short year, I've had the pleasure of working on two fantastic series--Greg Katz’s deft takeout on the state’s broken parole revocation system and Evan George’s masterful unmasking of the lopsided world of disability insurance, which was recently honored with a national award.
As if that weren’t enough, I also got to shepherd stories into the paper that other papers across the state had to follow. I was especially proud of Amy Yarbrough’s expose of questionable spending by state court administrators and Ciaran McEvoy’s story about a federal investigation into a city councilman for his financial dealings with a former labor leader.
You are a smart, sophisticated, talented group of journalists and I am impressed every day by the caliber of your work.
And now I’ve gotten another bit of luck: Stanford has selected me for the investigative reporting slot in its John S. Knight fellowship program. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to acquire new skills in this ever-changing business that we love.
I just received word this morning, so the details have yet to be worked out. But I will certainly stay for a few more months. And, yes, it’s my intent to come back after the program. I will be refreshed, energized and armed with new tools to help you keep doing great work.
All the best,
Evelyn