Dr. Melony Shemberger, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, was recognized by the Kentucky Press Association for her investigative journalism in education news reporting.
Shemberger won third place in the best investigative story or series category for weekly newspapers in KPA’s 2015 Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers contest. Results were announced Feb. 25 during an awards banquet held at Madisonville Community College.
Shemberger’s winning news article, published in August 2015 in the Todd County Standard, focused on costly mold damage at an elementary school. Contractors did not want to admit fault when they failed to provide overnight air movement after shutting down the air system for repairs. They also were difficult to contact and interview for the story.
“The pressure this reporter put on those involved for answers made me proud to be a journalist,” the contest judge wrote about Shemberger’s entry. “Great work holding their feet to the fire and taking a meeting story a step beyond. As a reader, I’d be anxious to learn the final outcome and how it would affect me as a taxpayer.”
Shemberger is a longtime education reporter, having covered the beat since 1998. She reports on education news as a freelance journalist for the Todd County Standard, a weekly community newspaper in Elkton.
