A Letter From the Publisher

By Richard B. Thomas

This week's American Scene story on Soviet and American peace delegates steamboating down the Mississippi River was written by Jay Carney, a Russian and East European studies major at Yale. The People section carries an item about a gigantic "Jaws"-like shark caught off Long Island that was reported by Peter Cleveland, a history student at Columbia University. The photograph of New Yorkers at an antidrug candlelight vigil in the lead Nation story was taken by Carl Ganter, a student in the American-culture program at Northwestern. Throughout the summer the World Notes page has been written by Princeton English Major Wendy Smith, who handled a variety of other articles as well. And this week's cover story on the newly revealed paintings of Andrew Wyeth was reported in part by Amanda Jo Neubardt, who was able to draw on her background as a Barnard art-history major.

Each year Time Inc. welcomes a small group of students nominated by their colleges during junior year. Editors narrow down the nominees, who are then invited to serve as summer interns. The five undergraduates selected by TIME are just finishing two months as paid journalists in our offices in New York City. In addition to a salary, the work provides the interns with on-the-job opportunities to develop writing, reporting and graphics skills. Says Ester Connelly, who manages the TIME education program: "Our commitment to students is the same as it is to the reader. We are interested in encouraging a climate where people learn to think about the world around them constructively."

Beyond the intern program, TIME supports and encourages young writers and artists through an annual essay contest for high school and college students. Earlier this year, six TIME writers and art directors judged entries from around the country and awarded five $5,000 and three $500 college scholarships to high school and college competitors. The grants were for essays and illustrations that best demonstrated skill at comprehending and discussing topics arising from the news. Of course, crisp and clear presentation counted too. Says Staff Writer Janice Castro, who helped judge the competition: "We were looking for an ability to think clearly. I was impressed by the students' interest in events and by their strongly felt opinions."