EMU Today

YPSILANTI –  Eastern Michigan University alumnus and award-winning journalist Nathan Bomey and You Li, associate professor of journalism, will host a conversation about careers in public service and journalism on Monday, Oct. 3. There will also be a screening of Bomey’s award-winning documentary, “Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit.” 

"Nathan reported on the Detroit bankruptcy in real time for the Detroit Free Press, and he retold these events as history in Detroit Resurrected. With Gradually, Then Suddenly he brings this story to the screen as a powerful documentary," said James Egge, professor of history and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The discussion will feature how Bomey navigated college to his career in journalism and offer insight to students preparing to work in journalism and other related fields. “I'm eager to talk about the status of journalism, its role in our democracy and how it's a crucial public service,” said Nathan Bomey, business reporter, author and scriptwriter. "I'm eager to tell my story about how I got crucial experience as an editor of the Eastern Echo during my time at EMU from 2002 through 2006.” The discussion will be from 2-3 p.m. in Strong Hall, room 201.  

This event will be followed by his screening of the documentary, “Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit,” from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. After the documentary that won the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film in 2021, Bomey will answer questions about Detroit, politics, and film-making. 

“My time at EMU helped me to prepare for the grit and resiliency you need to succeed in the challenging and contracting world of professional journalism,” said Bomey. “At EMU, we might have to work a little harder and go an extra step or two to get ahead, but it creates the type of work ethic that you need to thrive.”

Bomey graduated from Eastern in 2006 summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism. He wrote for news outlets such as Ann Arbor Business Review, AnnArbor.com, Detroit Free Press, USA Today, and is currently a business reporter for Axios. In addition to his time as a reporter, Bomey wrote three nationally published non-fiction books. 

The events are free and open to the public, with LBC credit available for attending students. For additional information or virtual options, please click A Visit with Nathan Bomey.  

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.