Murray State News won 45 awards at this year's Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association, including best college newspaper in the commonwealth.
The KIPA is an annual competition recognizing student journalists state-wide. Murray State’s student newspaper, “The News,” won 13 first place awards, 14 second place awards and 10 third place awards in their class.
Daniel Kemp is the chairman of Murray State’s board of regents. He says he is proud of Murray’s journalism program. “Journalism plays an essential role in our democracy,” said Kemp. “The fact we can give great journalism training at MSU is something we can all be proud of.”
Professors Melony Shemberger and Stephanie Anderson represented Murray State at the awards with their student staff members.
Anderson is on the Kentucky Press Association board and has started a two-year term as Chair of KIPa, and Shemberger was a presenter at this year’s KIPAs.
Anderson said the success of the student newspaper is due to the professional setting of the newsroom and support from the university. “We run as a professional organization,” she said. “A lot of late nights in the newsroom preparing the weekly newspaper”.
She also noted that “The News” has more Facebook followers than any other collegiate news Facebook page in the state.
The News won first place awards in general excellence, advertising, feature work, and sports writing.
