Blog: Well said – good quotes tell the story

Some weeks in news people say all the right things.

This was one of those weeks.

In the daily reporting in Springfield Business Journal’s newsroom, we collect the top story quotes to determine one Quote of the Week to highlight for readers.

Some weeks, the process is painful.

That’s not to say people aren’t well spoken during our interviews. I see two key factors: 1. Story context really bolsters a quote, so some key statements just can’t stand apart from the larger flow of thought. 2. Our reporters and editors bear some responsibility to draw out meaningful comments during conversations of discovery and on pointed issues.

Other weeks, there are enough quality quotes we’d like to carry some over to the next, just in case.

This week, we had almost 10 contenders, and any of them are worthy for the top spot. They are too good to pass on. So here we go, starting with the quote chosen by vote of the newsroom staff:

  “There is a limit to the sky when you’re dealing with corporations.” —Missouri State University business alum Robert Gourley, on transitioning to entrepreneurism
—from “Gourley name added to Glass Hall”

  “If you can find the answer on Google, you’re not teaching anything.” —Ben Hackenwerth of Springfield Public Schools, on innovative teaching methods
—from “New School of Thought: Buildings endeavor to stay ahead of educational evolution”

  “Believe it or not, there have been times that candles paid our rent.” —Grayson Home co-owner Clive Gray, on seasonal sales trends
—from “Business Spotlight: Right at Home”

  “If you are stuck in what you thought, you are going to struggle in the new economy.” —SPS Superintendent John Jungmann, on graduating life-long learners
—from “CEO Roundtable: Education”

  “The poorest state in the country outspends Missouri 4-1 on higher ed.” —Ozarks Technical Community College Chancellor Hal Higdon, on higher education spending in Mississippi
—from “CEO Roundtable: Education”

  “I went from computers to pigs to beer to cameras.” —Missouri State University business alum Robert Gourley, on the development of his entrepreneurial career
—from “Gourley name added to Glass Hall”

  “That’s a big skill set for the future: Putting away what I thought I knew to learn what I need to know now.” —SPS Superintendent John Jungmann, on what employers are looking for in the new economy
—from “CEO Roundtable: Education”

  “Gone are the days of the sage on the stage. It’s all about being a facilitator on the side and guiding students.” —SPS Director of Innovation and Information Ben Hackenwerth, on new teaching methods
—from “New School of Thought: Buildings endeavor to stay ahead of educational evolution”

  And my personal favorite, I’m sure because I had a direct hand in it. During the Oct. 20 live interview for SBJ’s 12 People You Need to Know breakfast series, I asked Heer’s building redeveloper Jim Nichols, “If buildings have character, what is the character of Heer’s?”
Nichols: “It’s definitely a she. She’s a proud lady that has stood over Springfield for a very long time.”
—from “Heer’s developer takes financial risk to tackle long-vacant icon”