App State Professor Featured in Washington Post

Department of Communication professor Chris Moody wrote an article published in the Washington Post about a family who is retrofitting a Washington D.C. home to make it more energy efficient.

The article, "Renovation With a Purpose: A D.C. Home Gets a Big Eco-Friendly Overhaul," and was published in the Washington Post magazine on Sept. 14. While traditional homes in the United States devour energy, Vanessa Bertelli, Stefano Negri and their three children are trying to rewrite that script by making a near century-old home reach "net-zero energy" status.

Moody said the following about his work:

"I started writing freelance articles for the Washington Post in 2021, where I have covered stories about politics, the American South, the pandemic and climate issues. I lived in Washington for about ten years before coming to Boone, so it's always a privilege to write for the paper. The Post has some of the best reporters and editors in the country, and it's great to collaborate with them. I have especially enjoyed working with the Post magazine on two recent features because I can dive into topics I haven't previously covered. One of the joys of working in journalism is that you are constantly learning new things. It's a great career for scratching the itch of curiosity, although you'll never quite satisfy it."

Moody teaches Electronic Media/Broadcasting and Journalism in the Department of Communication. While this is Moody's first year teaching full-time, he has given many guest lectures over the years, including some here at App State.

"Teaching obviously takes up most of my time now, but I think it's important to keep working in the industry to stay sharp and make sure I'm providing my students with the most up-to-date training and information," Moody said.

Before coming to App State, Moody was a full-time freelance reporter, and was constantly working on projects and stories with many outlets.

Moody's work has also appeared in The New York Times, New York magazine, Outside, The New Republic, Reason, Book Forum and other publications. Moody also previously worked as a correspondent for CNN and VICE News, and has also appeared on MSNBC, Fox News and NPR.

"I love having the opportunity to teach writing and broadcast storytelling," Moody said. "Anyone going into communication as a career field will need to know how to utilize all of the mediums at their disposal."

At App State, students have several options to practice their craft, including The Appalachian, WASU, AppTV, the Peel, and Second Story Media. According to Moody, App State students will be well-prepared for the career field when they graduate.

Moody is currently working on a documentary film about a hate crime that occurred in Chattanooga in the 1980s.

"The victims survived a shooting by KKK members and successfully bankrupted the group by suing them in civil court after the criminal trial," Moody said. "It's a powerful story that not many people know, and it's an honor to contribute to a team telling their story."

App State professor Chris Moody was recently published in the Washington Post about a family retrofitting an old home.
Published: Oct 6, 2022 10:04am

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