Joplin, MO — The Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University recently celebrated student achievements across various communication disciplines during its annual Communication Awards.
The ceremony, held on campus, highlighted the efforts and accomplishments of students involved in public relations, television production, radio programming, and journalism. The event served to recognize individuals and projects that demonstrated excellence and practical application of skills developed within the department’s programs.
Students studying public relations were acknowledged for their direct involvement in organizing and executing the Southern Media Showcase. This project provided participants with hands-on experience in event management, preparing them for future roles in the communication field.
Within the television and radio segments, specific programs and individual contributions received recognition. At KGCS-TV, the program “Beyond Billboard Hits” was named the program of the year. Individual honors were also presented, with Kevin Eckberg earning the title of Student Worker of the Year, and Nathan Reynolds recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his contributions to KGCS-TV operations.
Further accolades came from external organizations, underscoring the quality of student work originating from Missouri Southern. The Missouri Broadcast Educators Association and the Missouri Collegiate Media Association presented awards to students. These included a first-place win for the production “Behind the Bands” and an honorable mention for “The Chart” website, both of which were recognized for their respective merits by these regional media associations.
In the field of journalism, Kandice Williams and Heather Reynolds were specifically honored for their excellence in storytelling and reporting. Their work exemplified the standards of accurate and compelling news dissemination. Concurrently, radio contributions were also celebrated, with KXMS honoring Luke Boyer for his distinct radio program.
Beyond specific projects and disciplinary recognition, Dimitri Lloyd was named the Mass Communications Student of the Year. This comprehensive award acknowledged his broad academic achievements and extracurricular engagement within the communication department, signifying a commitment to the field across multiple facets.
The ceremony concluded with reflections from graduating students, who spoke about how their time in the communication program helped them build essential skills. These reflections emphasized the program’s role in preparing them for professional careers within the diverse communication industry, from local news to broader media roles. The awards event underscored the ongoing work and development of future communication professionals in the Joplin area.
