SEMO students earn national recognition as finalists in college media awards

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – Students from Southeast Missouri State University’s mass media program have been named national finalists in the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards for their work with the Arrow, the university’s student-run newspaper.

CMA announced finalists this week, recognizing the top student media programs across the country. The Arrow is a finalist in eight categories:

Sports Feature (Audio/Video): “Senior Spotlight: Lexi McCully” – Beto Vaca Diez and Kyler Messenger

Audio Newscast: “Arrow on the Air 2/24” – Alex Barton, Neva Wodochek, Ariangelis Ortiz

Series: “Gen Z Faces Political Crossroads: Will Their Votes Shape the 2024 Election?” – Arrow staff

Editorial Illustration: “TikTok Ban Sparks Debate Over Privacy, First Amendment & National Security” – Allie Murphree

Newspaper Front Page: “TikTok on the Clock” – Murphree, Lily Niebrugge, Wodochek

Newspaper Spread: “TikTok on the Clock” – Murphree, Niebrugge, Wodochek

Vertical Short Video: “Monday Minute Jan. 13, 2025” – Pat Buck Jr. and Jordan Shields

Video Entertainment Program: “What’s Up SEMO – Who Ya Gonna Call (Feb. 26, 2025)” – Buck and Messenger

All finalists are mass communications students at SEMO, majoring in fields such as multimedia journalism, advertising, media management, and TV and film.

“What really delighted me was the range of nominations, which spans audio, video, design, and traditional journalism,” said Dr. Emmanuel Maduneme, assistant professor of mass media and faculty advisor for the Arrow. “It demonstrates how well the mass media program is preparing students for today’s multimedia landscape.”

The finalists are competing in CMA’s Division II category, which is based on university enrollment between 3,000 and 9,999 undergraduates. Peer institutions include Vanderbilt University, Pepperdine University, Texas A&M University San Antonio and Tulane University.

Winners will be announced Oct. 15–18 at the College Media Association Fall Student Media Convention in Washington, D.C.

“The Arrow team doesn’t just report the news,” Maduneme said. “They’re also innovating on the ways journalism connects with audiences across all platforms, something the current journalism market is in sore need of these days.”