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Alumni Spotlights
Read inspiring stories about alumni of the Department of Journalism.
Betsy Ross
“I always tell students to say yes to every opportunity, because it's easier to find out while you're still in college what you like, and what you don't like,” Ross said. “If you try it and it doesn't work out, no big deal, go to the next opportunity. You don't want to say ‘what if’ because you turned down a job or didn't take a class because you thought it would be too hard.”
Read About Betsy Ross
Jim Wright
“You never know who you’re going to meet or who you’re going to impress with the work you’re doing that may help you down the road. Don’t blow the opportunity to make a good impression on someone you might come in contact with later.”
Read About Jim Wright
Gardi Wilks
“I am a firm believer that life evolves the way it’s supposed to, and it very much did for me,” said Wilks. “Ball State was a transformative place for me. The education that I got there, it really prepared me for a career.”
Read About Gardi Wilks
Phil McFarren
“My career wouldn’t have taken off without a journalism background,” he said. “I would have never gotten to the Muncie Star, which outfitted me with the expertise to launch a career that spanned many industries. That’s the thing about journalism, it teaches you to be a critical thinker, to consider various perspectives, to ask the tough questions and to be able to communicate those and other news and information clearly and accurately. Those are critical skills that transfer to any field.”
Read About Phil McFarren
Todd Terrell
“Don’t pass up an opportunity, as you never know where it will lead you,” said Terrell, whose philosophy has fueled his 31-year career. “I have not had to search for the next great opportunity; it has always been right there in front of me.”
Read About Todd Terrel
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Get Involved
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, your experience and expertise is valuable to our students as they learn the craft. We’d love for you to speak to a class, mentor a student—or whatever way you’d like to engage with us.
Journalism Alumni Society
Suggestions?
Do you have ideas for potential alumni events?
Email us.
Connect with fellow alumni through a range of events—from professionally focused activities to fun, social events. The society is charged with stimulating interest in the educational, professional, and social interests of the department’s alumni—individually and collectively. It hosts annual events, including the Journalism Awards Luncheon, and recognizes alumni accomplishments through the Journalism Hall of Fame along with a range of other annual alumni awards.
Journalism Alumni Society Board of Directors CCIM Alumni Page
Department and Alumni Awards
The department partners with the Journalism Alumni Society each year to recognize faculty, alumni, and friends who are making a lasting mark on the industry and support our students and departmental initiatives.
2019 Awards Program Submit Nominations
Honors Include:
Since 1985, the department has inducted professionals into this prestigious group, whose members either majored in journalism, worked for student publications, or taught in the department. Other than professors, nominees must have graduated at least 10 years before their date of induction.
2019 Hall of Fame Recipients
Beth Harris
The Associated Press
About Beth Harris
Phillip McFarren
McFarren Group
About Phillip McFarren
Gardi Wilks
Wilks Communications Group
About Gardi Wilks
View Past Hall of Fame Inductees
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
Requirements:
- The nominee must have either majored or minored in Ball State’s Department of Journalism, worked for student media or taught in the Department of Journalism.
- The nominee must have excelled in some phase of journalism, public relations or advertising, making that person worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame.
Submit nominations
The Outstanding Journalism Alumnus Award recognizes outstanding journalistic achievements of those who either majored or minored in journalism or worked for at least one Ball State student publication before entering a career in journalism.
2019 Outstanding Journalism Alumnus Award Recipient
David Haugh
Chicago Tribune
About David Haugh
View Past Award Recipients
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
Requirements:
- The nominee must have either majored or minored in Ball State’s Department of Journalism or worked for student media.
- The nominee must have established a career in some phase of the media, making the person worthy of recognition and acknowledgment.
The award recognizes achievements of a journalism alumnus/a, who is 35 years of age or younger. He or she must work in journalism or a related area and must have distinguished professional qualities.
2019 Young Alumna / Alumnus Award Recipients
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Chelsea Kardokus
Time Magazine
About Chelsea Kardokus
Alberto Pimienta
Telemundo 44
About Alberto Pimienta
Natalie Steger
NCAA
About Natalie Steger
View Past Recipients
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
REQUIREMENTS:
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The nominee must be 35 years of age or younger, must be a graduate of Ball State’s Department of Journalism and must work in a journalism-related field.
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A nominee also must have exhibited distinguished professional qualities that warrant recognition.
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Up to three nominees from different disciplines may receive the award in a given year.
Submit nominations
Since 1960, the department has presented a national journalism award for excellence in print journalism. Formerly the Eugene S. Pulliam Award, the honor will be awarded to a journalist for an article published by a newspaper, magazine or digital news site that shines light on a significant or complex subject and demonstrates clear and focused writing. The award is given for an article published during the prior calendar year.
2020 Ball State University Department of Journalism National Writing Award Recipient
Mark Johnson
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
About Mark Johnson
View Past Recipients
Department of Journalism National Writing Award Launch
Ball State University’s Department of Journalism is pleased to announce the launch of a new journalism writing award. The department’s 60-year tradition of awarding excellence in journalistic writing will continue in 2020 with new submission guidelines and a summer deadline.
Formerly the Eugene S. Pulliam Award, the honor will be awarded to a journalist for an article published by a newspaper, magazine or digital news site that shines light on a significant or complex subject and demonstrates clear and focused writing.
The submission deadline will be in early July, for pieces published in the calendar year 2019. The winning journalist will receive a cash prize at the Department of Journalism awards banquet on Oct. 1 and present a talk to students about his or her work and writing process.
The Indiana Journalism Award recognizes outstanding achievements in Indiana journalism.
2019 Indiana Journalism Award Recipient
Kelsey Timmerman
Author / Co-founder of The Facing Project
About Kelsey Timmerman
View Past Recipients
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
REQUIREMENTS:
- Writers, reporters, columnists, editors, publishers, foundations, media outlets, and auxiliary organizations are eligible.
- All entries and nominations should be in the form of a letter supporting the nomination.
- Pertinent support material is encouraged.
Submit nominations
The Marilyn Weaver Scholastic Journalism Award recognizes individuals and organizations who are making outstanding contributions to scholastic journalism.
This award is named after Marilyn Weaver, retired former workshops director and chairperson of the Department of Journalism at Ball State University. During her tenure, Weaver garnered numerous awards and accolades for her staunch support of scholastic journalism.
2019 Marilyn Weaver Scholastic Journalism Award Recipient
Mary Beth Tinker
First Amendment Advocate
About Mary Beth Tinker
Past Award Recipients
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
Requirements:
- Nominees should have contributed to the development and success of high school journalism programs. High school administrators, journalism teachers and advisers or other scholastic advocates and practitioners are eligible.
- Nominations should be made in a letter documenting the nominee’s contribution to scholastic journalism.
Submit Nominations
The Majeri Award recognizes innovation and leadership in the profession of graphic journalism. It may be awarded to a publication staff or person for creating a body of work or a singular piece that demonstrates innovation in news design or graphics reporting.
This award is named for Anton Majeri Jr., who is now retired but is a former senior editor for design and graphics at the Chicago Tribune. Under Majeri’s leadership, the Chicago Tribune won more than 100 awards for design and graphic excellence from the Society for News Design. While aesthetics presentation is important, a nominee’s work should emphasize how the visual display of information is driven by editorial content.
2019 Majeri Award for Graphic Journalism Recipient
Janet Michaud
Politico
About Janet Michaud
View Past Recipients
Do you know someone who deserves to be a part of this prestigious group? Nominate them with the link below!
REQUIREMENTS:
- Recognizes innovation and leadership in the profession of graphic journalism.
- It may be awarded to a publication staff or person for creating a body of work or a singular piece that demonstrates innovation in news design or graphics reporting.
Submit nominations
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