In a thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking and enlightening presentation, New York Times media editor and Hamilton alumnus Jim Windolf ’86 spoke to an audience of Hamilton students and community members on Thursday, Oct. 26. His remarks traced his evolution from a Hamilton student protester and procrastinator through graduate school and school-teaching to writer and editor, offering insights and tips along the way.
Windolf’s story-telling talents were clearly on display as he intriguingly wove the unlikely trajectories of Peter Case of the Plimsouls and President Trump with his own path from freelancer to New York Observer, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times with many other assignments along the way. He described the rollercoaster ride the introduction of digital “content” initiated and the frustrations and uncertainties that ensued.
Quoting Times editor Stuart Emmrich, “Jim is a kind of Pied Piper of American journalism, leading and inspiring a generation of talented writers.” The evening’s audience, the majority of whom were editors, staff, and contributors to the Spectator, did indeed seem inspired as evidenced by their many questions following the presentation.
