Mississippi State University won 28 awards at the annual Southeast Journalism Conference hosted at Georgia Highlands College last weekend.
The conference aims to provide students with opportunities for professional development, networking and industry experience. MSU brought 12 students from different concentrations and departments to the conference this year.
Terry Likes, a professor and head of the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, said that the number of awards across categories shows widespread accomplishment throughout the field of journalism.
“The fact that our students won 28 SEJC awards speaks volumes about our high-achieving students and their initiative, drive and determination to tell excellent stories across multiple media platforms,” Likes said. “I am so proud!”
In writing, photography, television, radio and more, MSU stood out with placements across many categories. Among the awards were 22 from the Best of the South category, which recognizes outstanding journalism from 2025, and six awards from on-site competitions. Over 25 schools submitted works to the Best of the South competition, and over 100 students participated in the on-site competitions.
Erin Erter, the Reflector’s opinion editor, placed second in the Arts and Entertainment Multimedia on-site competition. Erter said it was unexpected, but they also enjoyed the competition.
“It was really rewarding to win second place in my category, especially since I’m new to the world of multimedia journalism,” Erter said. “It was great to get motivation to keep experimenting with the medium!”
Kate Myers, the news editor for the Reflector, was awarded third place in the Best of the South College Journalist of the Year competition. Myers, who has been writing for the Reflector since her freshman year, said the award was both honoring and validating of her work as a journalist.
“After this award, I am going to maintain my momentum and continue to deliver accurate and relevant news to the student body to the best of my ability,” Myers said.
The full list of MSU’s awards included:
- MSU: 2nd place, Best TV Station
- MSU: 3rd place, Best Audio Program
- MSU: 3rd place, Best Newspaper
- MSU: 3rd place, Best Radio Station
- MSU: 5th place, Best Website
- Kate Myers and Ivy Rose Ball: 2nd place, Best Public Service Journalism
- Eli Mabry, Brielle Dennis Grant and Sophie Hoard: 2nd place, Best Research Paper
- Elena Harman: 2nd place, Best Opinion-Editorial Writer
- Kate Myers: 2nd place, Special Events Reporter
- Kate Myers: 2nd place, Best Newspaper Designer
- Haylee Morman: 2nd place, Best Radio News Reporter
- Kate Myers: 3rd place, Journalist of the Year
- Haylee Morman: 3rd place, Best Radio Journalist
- Leah Wisener: 3rd place, Best Magazine Designer
- Kaitlyn Church: 3rd place, Best Magazine Writer
- Natalie Staggers: 3rd place, Best Feature Writer
- Noah McCord: 3rd place, Best Sports Writer
- Rowan Feasel: 4th place, Best Arts and Entertainment Writer
- Ivy Rose Ball: 4th place, Best Photographer
- Haylee Morman: 4th place, Best Radio Feature Reporter
- Tafada Wright: 4th place, Best TV Journalist
- Grace Harvey: 5th place, Best TV Feature Reporter
- Carter Scaggs: 1st place, Design Infographic (on-site)
- Erin Erter: 2nd place, Arts and Entertainment Multimedia (on-site)
- Kate Myers: 2nd place, News Writing/Data Journalism (on-site)
- Abby Miller: 3rd place, Sports Writing (on-site)
- Noah McCord: Honorable Mention, Current Events Quiz (on-site)
- Ra’Maya Brown: Honorable Mention, TV News Anchoring (on-site)
