Kara Hartnett, editor of the Arrow, the student newspaper of Southeast Missouri State University, was named Journalist of the Year at the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) Conference April 7-8 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.
Kara Hartnett of Metamora, Illinois, is a senior double major in multimedia journalism and global cultures and languages, global studies option, Latin American civilization track, and has served as editor of the Arrow during the current academic year. Hartnett describes her success as a reflection of the efforts of her staff and the strength of Southeast’s multimedia journalism program and faculty, noting that her award represents the hard work and shared vision of the Arrow team. She credits Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck, faculty advisor to the Arrow and multimedia journalism coordinator in Southeast’s Department of Mass Media, with shaping her values, writing, and leadership as a journalist.
Dr. Buck characterized Hartnett as the most innovative and inspiring editor she has worked with, explaining that Hartnett consistently challenges her peers to deepen their reporting and expand the Arrow’s visibility on campus through example-driven leadership. Buck emphasized Hartnett’s charisma, high expectations, and modeling of professional standards as key factors motivating the staff’s performance. Hartnett, in turn, views her progress over three years in the program as evidence of the quality and impact of Southeast’s journalism curriculum.
At the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) Conference, the Arrow received 12 awards, including four first-place, three second-place, and three third-place honors, one honorable mention, and the Journalist of the Year recognition. Buck stated that this year’s awards acknowledge the extensive planning, diverse storytelling techniques, and cross-platform coordination required for several complex projects completed in addition to the staff’s regular workload. She expressed satisfaction that the staff’s sustained effort and commitment were formally recognized.
The Arrow earned the top two positions in the Special Section/Supplement category for its special editions “More Than,” an investigative report on university compliance with legislation related to disability in built, learning, and living environments, and “Accounting for Assault,” an investigative report examining the prevalence, complexities, and accountability of sexual assault at Southeast. The publication also received first and third place in the Campus Engagement category among Division I schools for student work highlighting the Shoeboxes of Caring promotion and the weekly “What’s Up SEMO” man-on-the-street videos. Hartnett noted that the staff worked diligently to achieve the 2017 awards and indicated that they have intensified their efforts in 2018 with optimism about future recognition.
MCMA awards presented to the Arrow were:
- First Place, Campus Engagement, Division I (Sydney Rodgers)
- First Place, Multimedia Package (Staff)
- First Place, Story Illustration (Taria Graham)
- First Place, Special Section/Supplement (Staff)
- Second Place, Column (Micaela Griffin)
- Second Place, Investigative Reporting (Staff)
- Second Place, Special Section/Supplement (Staff)
- Third Place, Campus Engagement, Division I (Shane Burke and Peter Lewis)
- Third Place, Feature Page (Danielle Brown, Taria Graham, Olivia Moyers and Katelyn Mary Skaggs)
- Third Place, In-Depth News Reporting (Staff)
- Honorable Mention, Column (Rachael Long)