Wil Haygood is one of Miami University's most accomplished alumni and has led a fascinating life as a journalist. In addition to his work with papers such as The Boston Globe and The Washington Post, he has also written several books and worked on movies.
An article he wrote about an African American butler in the White House ended up being the foundation for the film "The Butler." He also informed us that he will be working on another film shortly.
He has done a wide range of stories, from smaller ones to huge international sellers. He interviewed two hikers shot in the Appalachian mountains. He spent time with a former member of the KKK to better understand his mindset and motives. He was in South Africa for the release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years of being held in captivity. He traveled to Somalia when it was a war zone and was kidnapped by pirates. He returned six weeks later because he was driven to finish the story.
He told us that he has a nose for good stories and expressed that he greatly values ethics and integrity. He recommends that those pursuing a career in the field of journalism read everything they can get their hands on, try different writing paths, and tell good stories everywhere they go. It was clear that he has a huge passion for his work, for justice, and the significance of proper reporting. It was an honor to have him attend our class and inspiring to hear about his work and incredible endeavors.