SJMC Monday Memo – Jan. 27, 2025
Monday, January 27th, 2025
Drake SJMC Students Shine in National Journalism Contests
Drake University’s SJMC students continue to make their mark in prestigious journalism competitions, showcasing their creativity and storytelling skills.
Hearst Features Writing Contest Success: Nate Eisenmann secured 13th place in the highly competitive Hearst Features Writing contest. His captivating piece, “What Silence Actually Sounds Like,” published in Urban Plains, explored Orfield Labs in Minneapolis—the quietest place on Earth. Eisenmann spent 20 minutes alone in its anechoic chamber, where he heard his blood pumping in his veins and experienced a silence so profound that sound seems to disappear.
This marks the fifth consecutive year a Drake student has excelled in the Hearst competition, with Drake being one of only two small, private universities in the Top 20 for Feature Writing this year.
A First in Hearst Multimedia: For the first time, a Drake student placed in the Hearst Multimedia competition. Erica Sawyer earned 19th place in Multimedia Narrative Storytelling for her documentary “Keep It Tuned.” The piece highlighted the student-run radio station KMNR in Rolla, Missouri. Sawyer independently visited the station, capturing footage and producing a 16-minute documentary nearly single-handedly.
Congratulations to Nate and Erica for their outstanding achievements and for representing Drake SJMC on the national stage!
Students to be honored at Iowa College Media Association awards.
Drake students will be recognized at the Iowa College Media Association awards on Feb. 6. Here’s the complete list:
Video:
Emma Stroner, Bryson Rea, Erica Sawyer, Tim Frantz, Oliver Williams, Hailey Grotluschen, Talissa Rodriguez, Jack Geppert
Drake Magazine:
Lily Eckenrode, Princess Hart
Drake Urban Plains:
Nate Eisenmann, Andrew Kennard, Sarah Jamii, Lia Reichmann, Maddie Cisneros, Will Erbes
Drake Times-Delphic:
Morgan Neuhauser, Lily Wasserman, Seth Coughlin, Mack Swanson, Lia Reichmann, Divyanshi Srivastava
Drake Political Review:
Jack Melinski, Paige Minor
DPR Brainstorming today
Drake Political Review will be holding its brainstorming meeting today, Mon., Jan. 27, at 8 p.m., in Meredith 124C. All with even a passing interest in politics are encouraged to attend. For more info, or to pitch an idea if you can’t attend, reach out to DPR Editor-In-Chief Parker Wright at parker.wright@nihonnkazamidori.com.
Apply for the $1,000 Kappa Tau Alpha Scholarship
Are you a student majoring in journalism or mass communication? Don’t miss the chance to apply for this $1,000 scholarship!
Deadline: February 1
How to Apply: Submit a letter of reference and a 500-word essay discussing how this scholarship will benefit you. Include details about your financial need, career goals, and alignment with Kappa Tau Alpha’s values of Knowledge, Truth, and Accuracy.
Send your application to kappataualpha@missouri.edu.
Looking for a summer internship?
Professor Inman has several in his latest email newsletter.
Enter Nicholas Kristof’s 2025 ‘Win a Trip’ Contest
Are you a student eager to explore the world beyond the classroom? Nicholas Kristof, a renowned columnist for The New York Times, invites you to apply for his 2025 ‘Win a Trip’ contest. This unique opportunity allows a student to accompany Kristof on a reporting trip, shedding light on global issues and amplifying underrepresented voices. See more details here.
Paid Summer Journalism Internships
Apply Now for the 2025 Scripps Howard Fund Nonprofit Newsroom Internships
The Scripps Howard Fund is accepting applications for its 2025 Nonprofit Newsrooms Program. Partnering with 13 INN-member newsrooms across the country, this program offers paid 10-week internships for dynamic journalism students during the summer of 2025. This is your chance to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit journalism while making a real impact.
🗓 Deadline to Apply: Friday, January 31, 2025
💼 Learn More & Apply
Calling All Female Artists
Are you a talented creator of stunning paintings, drawings, or handmade crafts like bracelets? We’re looking for YOU to join the art side of an epic Women’s History Month Music & Art Festival on March 8th at Lefty’s Live Music in Des Moines!
This is your chance to showcase your work, celebrate women’s creativity, and connect with an amazing community. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’d love to have you!
Deadline to join: February 11th
Email: Liv.klassen@nihonnkazamidori.com to snag your spot or for more info.
Student Advertising Summit
The Student Advertising Summit (SAS) is a 2-day event that connects students and young professionals in the advertising, communications, public relations, and marketing fields. This is a unique opportunity to bolster your understanding of the industry. SAS is a launchpad for your personal growth and success, inviting you to explore the topics and careers you’re most interested in.
Event Details:
Date: February 13-14, 2025
Location: University of Minnesota – McNamara Alumni Center
SPJ Region 7 Spring Conference: Save the Date
Drake University’s Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) provisional chapter is invited to join the 2025 SPJ Region 7 Spring Conference in Minneapolis, April 11–12, 2025, in collaboration with Region 6.
This exciting event, held in conjunction with the Midwest Broadcast Association Conference, will feature:
🎙 Expert Panel Discussions: Learn from top professionals in journalism and media.
🏆 Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon: Celebrate the region’s standout student journalists.
🗓 Conference Details
📍 Location: Minneapolis, MN
🔗 More Info: Midwest Journalism Conference
