June 20, 2026

Student media earns finalist in Pinnacle Awards

The Murray State News is a finalist for the Pinnacle Awards for weekly college
newspaper through the College Media Association.

The News is a finalist in the 3,000 to 9,999 enrollment division for weekly college
newspaper. The other finalist is Rice University of Houston, Texas.

The College Media Association Pinnacle Awards honor the best college media
organizations and individual work. The annual contest is open to student work produced for any
college media organization, including print, broadcast and online outlets. Winners will be
announced at the fall national College Media Convention in Atlanta.

Elizabeth Thomas

Pictured above, right to left: Gretchen Beatty, Jada Poindexter, Charlie Jury, Mackenzie Rogers, Ayden Dick, Dixie Lynn and Natalie Gardner.

2026 Outstanding Seniors Awarded

On April 19, 2026, JMC Department faculty and friends gathered on the first floor of Wilson Hall for the annual celebration of our department’s outstanding seniors, plus several other notable achievements. Department Chair Dr. Kevin Qualls opened the ceremony. Next, each of the Curriculum Coordinators took to the podium to sing the well-deserved praises of […]

Alumni Featured JMC Dept. Uncategorized

I Never Wrote A Slogan – My Journey from Murray State to Spotify

By Megan (Summers) Haneline (ADV ’13) Too many years ago, I was sitting among the cluttered bookcases in Professor Welsch’s office, daydreaming of having my own office someday, when he asked where I saw myself after graduation. I’m sure my answer was something like writing catchy slogans at an ad agency in New York City. […]

Alumni Featured JMC Dept.

The Lisa Crites Story: Broadcast Journalist to Breast Cancer Survivor, Patented Inventor and Author

Lisa Crites began her studies at Murray State in 1985 as a music major scholarship recipient. While expanding her talent as a classical pianist during her freshman year, she was drawn to journalism. “The music department was on the 3rd floor, and journalism was on the 6th, of the same building. Once I began hanging […]