Nicolette Baker, features and copy editor of the Arrow, the student newspaper of Southeast Missouri State University, was named Journalist of the Year by the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) on April 9.
Baker, of Perryville, Missouri, a senior multimedia journalism major with double minors in film and literature, and fashion merchandizing, was recognized for her innovation in storytelling during her time as an editor.
“Nicolette is a dedicated and enterprising reporter who is equally capable of covering a hard news event, finding an engaging personality profile, and writing an entertaining human interest column,” said Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck, chair and professor of the Department of Mass Media. “She cares about objectivity and inclusiveness in a meaningful way, and she embeds those themes in her work as a writer and editor. As a result, our staff is able to produce better journalism, and our campus visibility has increased during her tenure on staff.”
Baker said it was rewarding to be recognized for her skills and work.
“It's such a wonderful way to end my senior year at Southeast,” Baker said. “I didn't expect to be nominated whatsoever or be chosen for this honor. I honestly still can't believe it happened!”
Baker will graduate in May and has recently accepted a position with Manhattan-based digital media company VinePair.
In addition to housing the state’s top journalist, Southeast is also home to the newly elected MCMA President, Arrow Editor Nathan Gladden, who has recently been rehired as editor for next year.
Gladden will lead a three-member board next year to conduct MCMA business, which includes planning the spring convention. Historically, the president hosts the convention, which means Southeast will be the convention site next spring.
Southeast’s Department of Mass Media earned more than two dozen recognitions last weekend during MCMA’s Conference, including eight first-place awards, four second-place awards, five third-place awards and four honorable mentions. The University also swept awards in the first annual MCMA Film Festival, taking home the first, second and third place awards for in the Film Creative category.
The Arrow staff earned two special distinctions in Division 2 for mid-size four-year schools:
- First Place, Best Overall Newspaper category.
- Second Place, Sweepstakes category.
The MBEA contest saw a total of 171 entries this year across 34 categories, Buck said. Sixty-nine winners from 11 different schools were determined by 18 different judges, all of whom are professionals either working in the industry or teaching.
These awards are a form of external assessment about not only the Arrow, but also the Department of Mass Media’s academic programs, Buck said, since both the advertising and multimedia journalism options use the Arrow as an experiential learning lab for students.
“We had the opportunity to compete in nearly 40 different categories, so the outcomes provide us with information about areas that are strengths and areas where we can improve our program,” she said.
The awards also benefit students by building their confidence and elevating the department’s visibility, Buck said, adding that students who graduate from well-recognized programs are automatically more competitive.
“I couldn't be prouder of my students, my colleagues and this program,” Buck said. “This is my last semester as Arrow faculty adviser, and their performance is a great way to end things.”
MCMA Awards presented to the Arrow, and the Department of Mass Media, were:
- Journalist of the Year (All Divisions): Nicolette Baker
- First Place, Best Overall Newspaper (Division 2): Arrow Staff
- First Place, Campus Engagement/Promotions (Advertising Division): “Your Body, Your Rights - Taboo Talk,” Arrow Staff
- First Place, Special Section or Supplement (Division 2): “Financial Independence,” Arrow Staff
- First Place, Investigative Reporting (Division 2): Jasmine Jones
- First Place, Feature Photography (Division 2): Ciara Potter
- First Place, Story Illustration (Division 2): Alisha Reisenbichler
- First Place, Photo Page (Division 2): Nicolette Baker, Anna Estes and Alisha Reisenbichler
- First Place, Feature Page (Division 2): Nicolette Baker, Anna Estes, and Alisha Reisenbichler
- Second Place, Sweepstakes (Division 2): Arrow Staff
- Second Place, In-Depth News Reporting (Division 2): “Financial Independence,” Arrow Staff
- Second Place, Investigative Reporting (Division 2): Nicolette Baker
- Second Place, Page One Design (Division 2): Lucas Irizarry
- Third Place, Special Section or Supplement (Division 2): Arrow Staff
- Third Place, Website (Division 2): Arrow Staff
- Third Place, Page One Design (Division 2): Lucas Irizarry
- Third Place, Feature Page (Division 2): April Styer, Cynthia Willman and Cierra Potter
- Third Place, Video (Division 2): Noelle Williams
- Honorable Mention, News Writing (Division 2): Nicolette Baker
- Honorable Mention, Sports Writing (Division 2): Justin Trovillion
- Honorable Mention, Feature Page (Division 2): Nicolette Baker and Alisha Reisenbichler
- Honorable Mention, Video (Division 2): Noelle Williams
MBEA College Media Awards Competition:
- First Place, Best Audio News Show: “Arrow on the Air,” Clayton Hester, Hannah Radden, Marquita Evans, Josh Seabaugh and Matt Wagner
MCMA Film Festival, Film Creative Category
- First Place: “Untitled Self Portrait,” Jackson Bradshaw
- Second Place: “Sometimes,” Jasmine Jones
- Third Place: “Drukqs,” Tabatha Jeaux and Nathaniel Henley