Dan Beckmann, supervising producer for Current TV

Jordi's work on our New Hampshire Primary coverage in Manchester is the basis for my nomination. The premise of our coverage was to have citizen journalists show us Issues that were affecting their communities, with the producers of five of the best documentaries getting the opportunity to travel to New Hampshire to question the candidates about the issues they've raised themselves and on camera. Jordi's work on Student Debt made her one of our five producers. She was the youngest on site and this experimental coverage base for us. She not only held her own, she was one of the few journalists of any type to actually get a direct response to her question.

It can certainly be hard to break into New Hampshire and make a mark. Jordi was able to deliver for our audience the personal answer they needed in order inform their choice for President.

Kaj Lars, a producer/correspondent for Current TV

I have had the privilege of knowing Jordi Lippe since we collaborated together for Current TV’s special election coverage of the 2008 presidential primary in New Hampshire. Jordi was one of five finalists selected by the Vanguard Journalism department to cover this event.

While I didn’t actually meet Jordi until her arrival in New Hampshire, her reputation as an outstanding college journalist preceded her. I first learned of Jordi’s storytelling skills when we held a contest for contributors to submit short documentaries about challenges facing America. Jordi’s intimate account of the increasing burden of student debt is a first rate piece of journalism. Her portrayal of the pressures faced by her peers earned her a spot on Current’s election team.

In New Hampshire she proved over and over again her diligence and intrepid reporting. Her journalism skills and ability to find, produce and tell compelling stories put her at the forefront of a new breed of journalists. While she draws on her environment and her peers for inspiration, her work far exceeds that of a “college” journalist.

Anna Bean, co-director for Current TV

I worked with Jordi on a documentary film in Costa Rica when the two of us were very new to filmmaking and working with camera equipment. Her ability to laugh at herself, especially in the process of learning, is one of her best attributes, but she also knows when its time to work hard and stay on task.

I remember quite vividly filming an evangelical church service with Jordi one evening in a tiny town on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. I stuck to filming toward the back of the sanctuary, feeling a little bit uncomfortable in this new setting. At one point I looked out from behind the camera and Jordi was close to crab-walking down the center aisle, trying to get a good angle on the pastor's ebullient sermon.

The girl has gumption, I thought, and today I know that I was right in believing that she would go quite far. I wasn't surprised at all when she called to tell me that her first piece was airing on national television.

Kate Kahn, visiting professor at Boston University’s College of Communication

One of the things I enjoy about Jordi is her ability to adapt to the situation at hand.   For instance, she had a story due for one of my classes. It came out fine but I thought it needed to be more character-driven.  Without blinking an eye she accepted that feedback and she and her partner completely revamped the story and it came out much better.  It was humorous, serious, engaging and interesting to watch.  Not every student can take constructive criticism that well.  The initial story was fine, but this one was much better.  

Sarah Grossbart, internship supervisor for Us Weekly

Jordanna was one of my editorial interns at Us Weekly during the summer of 2007. As an intern she worked diligently and enthusiastically, completing each task I gave her without complaint. I could count on her to complete any responsibility -- from transcribing interviews, to researching for news stories -- quickly and with great attention to detail. She also proved herself as a reporter, attending several red carpet events and getting great interviews with celebrities.

Source | Current TV
A woman who has been a pacifist her whole life married a marine and has to deal with the daily tension of not being with him and knowing that he is fighting in a war she doesn't believe in.

Source | Current TV
With tuition costs on the rise students are facing a moutain of debt upon graduation. Ross McGraw is one of those students. He plans to go to law school, but he struggles with day to day costs

Source | Inside Boston
Nickelback filled the Bryce Jordan Center last night, both with raucous fans and with tedious, unadventurous music.

Source | Current TV
All Jordi wanted was someone to address her personal situation. She's a college student over at BU--her issue was student debt. While she did hear an answer to her general question somewhere along the line, getting that personal one-on-one time with the majors was as hard as you might think.