Ouachita Baptist University’s Ouachitonian yearbook was recognized by the Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA) as the top yearbook in the state with the first place award in General Excellence for yearbooks. The publication was recognized at ACMA’s recent annual convention, hosted this year by the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The Ouachitonian and Ouachita’s student newspaper, The Signal, earned a total of 40 group and individual awards.
ACMA is an organization of collegiate newspaper, yearbook, online, magazine and television staffs from across the state. All Arkansas university publications compete in the awards regardless of the university’s size.
In addition to first place in General Excellence, the 2015 Ouachitonian staff also won 32 awards for individual entries.
“I knew the staff and I had produced a book that I loved and was proud of, but to be awarded first place for General Excellence at the ACMAs was just the icing on the cake,” said Aly Smith, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Sherwood, Ark., and editor of the 2015 Ouachitonian. Smith also earned 14 individual awards for her work.
“I truly believe that Ouachita has some of the best communications students around, and the yearbook is evidence of that,” Smith said. “Though, none of it would have been possible without the love, support and eagle eyes of Dr. Deborah Root.” Root serves as chair of OBU’s Rogers Department of Communications and faculty adviser of the Ouachitonian.
“I am proud of last year’s staff and the excellent publication the students produced,” Root said. “It’s great to see the creative and critical thinking skills taught through our courses executed through the production of our yearbook and newspaper. We have very talented students who take pride in what they do, and I’m proud for them to be honored for the work they have done.”
The Signal also was recognized by the ACMA, receiving honorable mention in General Excellence and winning six awards for individual entries.
The following staff members were recognized for individual work in the 2015 Ouachitonian:
- Taryn Bailey, a sophomore mass communications major from Kyle, Texas, won second place for Academic Writing and third place for Organizations Writing.
- Kelsey Bond, a senior mass communications and studio art double major from Alexander, Ark., won first and second place for Academic Photo.
- Amber Easterly, a senior mass communications and business administration double major from Alexander, Ark., won second place for Student Life Writing.
- Molly Freel, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Nashville, Ark., won first place for Academic Writing.
- Barrett Gay, a junior mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark., won honorable mention for Student Life Writing.
- Coleson Lechner, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Minden, La., won second place for Special Feature.
- Zach Parker, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Shreveport, La., won second place, third place and honorable mention for Sports Writing.
- Tyler Rosenthal, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Little Rock, Ark., won first and third place for Student Life Photo, first place for Feature Photo and honorable mention for Academic Photo.
- Aly Smith won first place for Closing, Opening and Organization Layout; first and second place for Portrait Layout; first and second place for Divider; first and third place for Student Life Layout; second place for Art/Illustration, Cover, Title Page and Typographic; and third place for Sports Layout.
- Brandon Smith, a mass communications and kinesiology double major from Arkadelphia, Ark., won first place for Special Feature.
- Blaine Surber, a 2015 Ouachita graduate from Sulphur Springs, Texas, won first place for Student Life Writing.
The following staff members were recognized for individual work in The Signal during the 2014-2015 school year:
- Barrett Gay, a junior mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark., won second place for Personality Profile and third place for Feature Writing.
- Dixon Land, a senior mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark., won second place for Sports Page Layout and Sports Column.
- Evan Wheatley, a senior mass communications and music major from Camden, Ark., won honorable mention for Feature Writing and Review Writing.
For more information on Ouachita’s student publications, contact Dr. Deborah Root at rootd@obu.edu or (870) 245-5510.
By Rachel Gaddis
