Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / ‘Optimist,’ JMC students win collegiate journalism awards

‘Optimist,’ JMC students win collegiate journalism awards

April 19, 2006 by Nathan Driskell

By Nathan Driskell, Student Reporter

Students from the Journalism and Mass Communication Department won 42 awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s annual convention in San Antonio on April 6-8.

The Optimist won an honorable mention for overall excellence, placing fifth at the competition behind University of Texas Arlington, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas.

The Optimist is the only non-daily newspaper to compete in the Newspaper Division 1 category, said Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication and adviser of the newspaper.

“We’re the only non-daily that competes in that category, which makes it hard to win,” Pybus said. “But it makes the things that we do win that much more rewarding.”

Among the more notable award winners was Jonathan Smith, editor in chief of the Optimist and senior journalism major from Tyler, who placed first in on-site TV sportswriting and second in on-site print newswriting.

Mallory Sherwood, managing editor of the Optimist and junior journalism major from Orrville, Ohio, was awarded a Frank W. Buckley Scholarship, as well as being named student president of TIPA. She also placed second in in-depth reporting.

Also, Brian Schmidt, chief photographer for the Optimist and junior journalism major from Austin, won numerous awards, including first place in on-site sports action photography and second place in sports feature photography. Missy Perkins, junior electronic media major from Grapevine, placed first in radio public affairs, and Casey Cooper, senior electronic media major from Mission, won first place in the category of TV spot commercial, public service announcement and promo.

Pybus said these awards are notable achievements.

“Any time you compete against the biggest student newspapers in the state and the schools with the biggest radio stations and schools with bigger TV stations and come back with awards, then that’s something to be proud of,” Pybus said.

In the spring of 2004, The Optimist won first place in overall excellence at TIPA, the only time in its history it has won the award.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: JMC Network

Other News:

  • Gallery: ASA’s CHOMA showcases a night of tradition, taste and choreography

  • ACU community providing resources for students with concerns over the Israel-Hamas War

  • 3rd biannual Venture Out market showcases student businesses

About Nathan Driskell

You are here: Home / News / ‘Optimist,’ JMC students win collegiate journalism awards

Other News:

  • Gallery: ASA’s CHOMA showcases a night of tradition, taste and choreography

  • ACU community providing resources for students with concerns over the Israel-Hamas War

  • 3rd biannual Venture Out market showcases student businesses

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 days ago

The Optimist
Worry. Confusion. Fear. These are emotions that consume people when processing the concept of war. A student wants answers to peace and looks for it in family, friends, and leaders of the community. Students want answers to their questions and ACU has provided a platform for this. To read more about the resources provided visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #israelhamaswar #abilenetx #warresources ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

6 days ago

The Optimist
This week on the Optimist Newscast we talk about the end of the Wildcat Football season and the goodbye blessing of Chaplin Cyrus Eaton. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #acuchaplin #acufootball #acuvstexasam ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Nov. 28, 2023

Our top stories this week include the Venture Out Market, ASA's Choma Event and ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Nov. 16, 2023
  • Ethnos: Echoes Celebrates Students’ Diverse Cultures
  • Optimist Newscast Nov. 10, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved