SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Evangel University student media organizations recently earned multiple awards at a variety of state and national media contests. Students won awards from the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ), Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA), and Missouri College Media Association (MCMA). These contests reflected student media collateral produced or published during the 2023-24 academic year.
“It’s important that we participate in these contests on both the state and national levels,” said Dr. Cameron Pace, chair of EU’s communication department. “We know our students compete well, but we are also able to identify areas in which we can improve or strengthen within these communication outlets.”
In the national contest, Evangel entries compete with entries from universities of all sizes across the country.
“Students from schools as small as 700 compete with our largest chapters at schools of more than 10,000,” Andrea Frantz, SCJ executive director, said. Frantz also said that the SCJ contest had significantly more submissions than 2023.
Faculty advisers for EU student media are Melinda Booze, The Lance newspaper adviser; Cameron Pace, EU TV and EU Films adviser; Nancy Pace-Miller, Excalibur yearbook adviser; Chip Stanek, Evangel Valor Media website adviser; and Austin Twigg, KECC radio station adviser.
Below is a list of awards by media, contest, category, and placement.
Highlights include first place MBEA wins for Evangel Valor Media, EU’s student news website, “Unhinged,” a short film, and “Archived,” a feature film; a first-place finish for The Lance in MCMA’s Division 3 “Best Overall Newspaper;” and a first place SCJ win for the Excalibur yearbook in the “Yearbook Overall Excellence, small college” category.
MBEA Contest
First Place
- Multimedia – Website, Evangel Valor Media – Jade Hinzman
- Video – Short Film, “Unhinged” – Nathan Imadiyi, Samuel Cochran, Campbell Nichols, Jackson Talburt, and Bernardo Gatica
- Video – Animation, “Frontiersman Bear Spray” – Raelin Lakatos
- Video – Feature Film, “Archived” – Kaylee Clay and Titus Smith
- Audio – AirCheck, “Camryn Lee AirCheck” – Camryn Lee
- Audio – Commercial, “Alarm Bed Radio Ad” – Faith Kuhn
- Audio – Podcast, “Lakati in the Woods” – Raelin Lakatos
- Audio – Station Promo, “KECC Promo” – Wyatt Long
Second Place
- Audio – Podcasts, “Grace on Galilee” – Camryn Lee
- Video – Sports Show, “EUTV Sports Update – 11.28.23” – Kadence Washam and Matthew Kellerstrass
- Video – Feature Film, “Rose & Buji” – Wyatt Long, Clara Butler, and Brady Rosenthal
- Video – Animation, “The Car” – Bernardo Gatica
Third Place
- Video – Documentary Film, “Power” – Evan Espinoza
- Video – Commercial/Promo, “Hedgpeth Marketing Video” – Natalie Hedgpeth
- Video – Short Film, “The Holiday Helper” – Evan Espinoza, Clara Butler, Jade Hinzman, Mahari Pilo, and Miriella Dilse
- Audio – Commercial, “Faith’s Persistent Call Radio Ad” – Madison Mabry
Honorable Mention
- Audio – Commercial, “The Silent Chase Radio Ad” – Grayson Miczo
MCMA Contest, Newspaper Division 3
First Place
- Best Overall Newspaper – Staff
- In-Depth News Reporting – MyAun Boyd
- News Writing – Sarah Cummings
- Story Illustration – Mahari Pilo
- Website – Lance staff
Second Place
- Feature Writing – Cassidy Ozaias
- Nonpolitical/Entertainment Cartoon – Mahari Pilo
- Page One Design – Lance staff
- Sports Photography – Carson Twigg
Third Place
- Column – Zoe McIntyre
- Entertainment Writing – Carson Twigg
- News Photography – MyAun Boyd
- Sweepstakes – Lance staff
Honorable Mention
- Sports Photography – Emmaline Perkins
MCMA Contest, Yearbook
Second Place
- Feature Photography – Excalibur staff
Third Place
- Sports Design – Excalibur staff
- Student Life Design – Excalibur staff
SCJ Awards
First Place
- Social Media Presence Overall Excellence, The Lance – Emma Mayne
- Yearbook Overall Excellence, small college, Excalibur – “Intertwined,” Excalibur staff
- Yearbook Photography, Excalibur – “Intertwined,” Excalibur staff
Second Place
- Feature Photography, The Lance – Hannah King
- Yearbook Writing, Excalibur – “Intertwined,” Excalibur staff
- Yearbook Display, Excalibur – “Intertwined,” Excalibur staff
Third Place
- Infographic, the Lance – Zoe McIntyre
Honorable Mention
- Newspaper Overall Excellence – The Lance staff
About Evangel’s Communication Department
Evangel’s Communication Department located in the Trask academic building, prepares students to pursue careers within various media, content creation, and public relations fields. Through the lens of hands-on learning and real-world training, students study audio and film production, journalism, public relations, advertising, public speaking, and multimedia design through the lens of innovation and adaptability.
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Evangel University, with its embedded Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Spirit-led Christian university located in Springfield, Missouri. It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Under the leadership of Dr. Mike Rakes, EU is committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally and becoming compassionate innovators in their chosen vocations. EU offers more than 70 degree programs, including cutting-edge majors, pre-professional programs, and affordable and flexible online degree options.
EU is highly regarded and has been ranked:
- #1 Best College in Springfield & #2 Best Christian College in Missouri by Niche
- US News & World Report Best Colleges Top Performer in Social Mobility
- Colleges of Distinction Best Christian University
- Top 10 Best Universities by AcademicInfluence.com
- Third Most Beautiful Campus in the Midwest by Christian Colleges & Universities
- Top 10 Best Colleges in Missouri by BestColleges.com
With additional accreditations in business, counseling, music, social work, and theology and certification as an Excellence in Giving university, EU is focused on providing students with hands-on experience and real-world training for today’s professional careers. Learn more about the university at evangel.edu.