Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / JMC Network receives recognition for hard work

JMC Network receives recognition for hard work

April 17, 2015 by Optimist Staff

Student reporters with the JMC Network received recognition at two journalism conferences earlier in the semester.

Eight students received recognition at a Society of Professional Journalists conference March 27 in Norman, Oklahoma. Then, the network went on to the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention in San Antonio on April 9-10 to win 29 awards.

At SPJ, two students from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication won first place in the Region 8 competitions.

The SPJ awards are a multi-state competition, and the organization’s purpose is to recognize outstanding achievement in journalism and to stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism.

Linsey Thut, senior convergence journalism major from Keller, won first place for her breaking news piece about the cancellation of ACU Spring Break Campaigns titled CCSL drops five Campaigns.

“It was funny because I didn’t even know that what I was writing was breaking news at the time,” Thut said. “I was assigned to write about any Spring Break Campaigns, and when I went in for my interview, I was told they weren’t happening. That’s when I realized that my assignment was bigger than just a typical story.”

As the story unfolded, Thut said she felt the excitement of reporting.

“I spent the rest of the day calling and emailing multiple people, trying piece it all together,” she said. “No one wanted to tell me why they weren’t happening, so after much persuasion and a ton of digging, I finally found my answer,” Thut said. “I worked so hard on the story, and it was the first time I really felt the rush of reporting something bigger than myself.”

Denzil Lim, senior convergence journalism major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, won first place for an in-depth reporting piece titled The fight against cyber-crimes.

“I worked on the piece for about two weeks collecting necessary information on the subject from people and reliable sources,” Lim said. “I didn’t expect to win the award as I was competing with another classmate for it. She is, in my opinion, the better writer and journalist. If anything, winning this award shows the possibilities of success even from ACU.”

“Anytime we place well in that kind contest, it reflects well on the whole department, in addition to highlighting outstanding work by individual students,” said Dr, Cheryl Bacon, chair of the department. “It always reflects well on the faculty that have taught and mentored those students in areas where they have been recognized.”

All of the first-place award winners will automatically go on to compete in the National Mark of Excellence Competition.

“I can’t wait to see how it fares at the national level. It’s exciting to have made it that far,” Thut said.

The Six SPJ finalists from ACU are as follows:
Madeline Orr – AES faces restructuring proposal
Brittany Jackson – Home school may affect recruiting process
Laura Benson for JMC Network Newscast
Matt Sloan – Financial stakes rise with move to Div. I
Gabi Powell – Catching Atchley
Shera Niemirowski – Sims returns for fresh start

At TIPA, the Optimist picked up 29 awards, including an overall excellence honorable mention for the paper product.

Madeline Orr, editor in chief of the Optimist, said she is impressed at the commendation because the Wildcats compete against at the highest division.

“It just shows that our program and our news outlet is just as strong as any other big program in the state,” said Orr, senior journalism major from North Richland Hills. “I am very proud of the Optimist staff, and I am thankful for the work Marissa Jones did last year, which we were awarded for.”

Jones, a senior multimedia major from Abilene, preceded Orr as editor in chief.

The Optimist also won first-place awards in five different categories as a part of their 29-award haul.

Brittany Jackson, junior journalism major from Mission Viejo, California, said the staff did a great job putting in extra effort to keep up with the bigger schools.

“As managing editor, it’s so impressive to see our workers and our staff dedicating so much time to these stories,” Jackson said. “I was assigning these stories, but I didn’t know where the reporters were going to take the story. It was really cool being able to see all the work that my classmates did last semester and actually win awards.”

The awards ceremony included more than just awards for the students. Rachel Fritz, junior journalism major from Haltom City, was elected TIPA Parliamentarian for the upcoming year.

“It’s cool that we get to work with Fred Stewart, the executive director of TIPA, and we get to take people’s opinions on the sessions or anything TIPA-related,” Fritz said. “We get to talk with him about how we can make TIPA better and more enjoyable for students.”

Fritz said she was glad to see all the hard work pay off, especially in a smaller newsroom with fewer staff members.

“We work hard, so I think that reflected in the awards,” Fritz said. “It was really cool to know that our work is being recognized on that scale.”

TIPA’s 2016 convention will move to Dallas for the next two years.

Collin Wieder and Laura Benson contributed to this story.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: JMC Network

Other News:

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

  • SGA President, Vice President, Executive Cabinet selected for 2022-23 school year

About Optimist Staff

You are here: Home / News / JMC Network receives recognition for hard work

Other News:

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

  • SGA President, Vice President, Executive Cabinet selected for 2022-23 school year

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....