After almost 25 years as a reporter, I’m convinced a good journalism education turns out students who think carefully and deeply.

That might sound strange, given my background. I didn’t go to journalism school. Instead, I stumbled into the field in my 30s, after a few years as a freelance writer. I needed more than a couple weeks to learn the 5 Ws and 1H, but a stint as a night cops reporter gave me some chops.

Along the way, I learned that powerful journalism springs from questioning and probing, skills I was taught as a liberal arts major. If I wanted a memorable article, I had to do more than get quotes from the school board meeting. I had to challenge assertions, perceptions and assumptions – including my own.

Otherwise, I wasn’t a journalist. I was a stenographer.