\u201cI wish I was your age,\u201d Rick Kogan \u2013 yes, the Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune \u2013 says to one of Columbia College\u2019s introduction to journalism classes that I happen to be apart of. A few of us twist around the plastic chairs to get a glimpse at the man of the hour. I am in the front row of a beautiful conference room with a beautiful view at WBEZ\u2019s Navy Pier home, waiting to be enlightened. Truthfully, I had been doubtful: do I really want to be a journalist? This is a dying field. Rick Kogan walks up the isle with the confidence only a cultured, urbane writer can. \u201cYou\u2019re in for a remarkable journey,\u201d he says to our wide-eyed, diverse class. And so it begins.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kogan is taking over the WBEZ\u2019s Afternoon Shift talk show, starting September 23rd<\/sup>, after many years of writing and reporting for the Tribune. \u201cAfter doing a Sunday morning talk show for numerous years\u2026 it\u2019s time for change,\u201d Justin Kaufmann says, introducing Kogan befittingly. Kaufmann, a Columbia College graduate, is the executive producer of the public radio station WBEZ. Kauffmann confirms my suspicions; \u201cit\u2019s a bittersweet time for journalists.\u201d Kogan, however, sees it a bit differently. \u201cIt\u2019s a joyful job and nothing is going to change that\u2026 The most exciting [job] in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Kogan instantly launches into what journalism\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0<\/i>in Chicago. \u201cThis city is not all about Billy Corgin\u2019s new tea shop.\u201d And immediately, my faith in journalism is restored. Kogan\u2019s first story was published when he was fifteen: quite impressive, to be blunt. \u201cSeeing my byline\u2026 It was like heroin.\u201d It is obvious that writing is not just a talent. It is a passion; it is a need in the most primitive form. \u201cIt\u2019s always been about innate curiosity,\u201d Kogan says. It\u2019s as if this is the most factual statement that could be possibly said. Ever.<\/p>\n Kogan is wrapping up the inspiring \u2013 I mean, seriously inspiring \u2013 session with a few questions-and-answers when a girl asked what is his most memorable story. He thinks for a moment. \u201cCarla Kelly\u2026 [Her] students drew pictures of what they want to be when they grow up\u2026 \u201c He lifts his arms and tenses for a trice, describing these crude drawings, \u201cbeauty in this kind of primitive way.\u201d One particular student, Tasha, drew a picture of a tree; she had never seen a tree before. All this little girl knew of the outside world was gathered in her walk from school to home, broken bottles and gun shells, condom wrappers and cigarette butts was the norm.\u00a0 Kogan arranges with Carla Kelly to take little Tasha to Lincoln Park. \u201cWe went and saw a canopy of trees, and she says, \u2018are we okay? Did we have a car crash and are we dead?\u2019 And I say, \u2018no, Tasha, why would you think that?\u2019 She asks, \u2018Isn\u2019t this heaven?\u2019 And I say, \u2018no, honey, this is Chicago.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Immediately I am reminded of my late grandfather. From the short time that I have spent with Kogan, I gather he has the same persona; tough and jaded, yet with enduringly warm eyes. Eyes that have been widened and dampened by the beauty of the world few very people get to see: my grandfather included. And I am reminded, that yes, this is Chicago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cI wish I was your age,\u201d Rick Kogan \u2013 yes, the Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune \u2013 says to one of Columbia College\u2019s introduction to journalism classes that I happen to be apart of. A few of us twist around the plastic chairs to get a glimpse at the man of the hour. 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