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The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

Media College News

"WVU News" wins yet another regional Emmy Award

Olasoji and Leisifer in news studio control room

For the second year in a row, "WVU News," the Reed College of Media’s student-produced television newscast, clinched a prestigious regional Emmy Award. The special edition episode, "Addiction in America: An Ongoing Epidemic,” won in the Newscast category. It was produced by Makenna Leisifer (BSJ, 2023) and Tolu Olasoji (MSJ, 2023) with main anchors Maggie Oliverio (BSJ, 2023) and Kathryn Bruch, a current journalism senior.

Each year, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognizes outstanding achievement in video production at the collegiate level in 19 regions across the country, including the Ohio Valley Chapter of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. This year’s winners were announced during a virtual ceremony on Sunday, Sep.17.

Read Full Article: "WVU News" wins yet another regional Emmy Award

MHA wins eight statewide public relations awards

Cheyenne Oakes and Emma Magruder with PRSA Crystal Awards

Martin Hall Agency (MHA), a faculty-led, student-run advertising and public relations agency operating in West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media, received eight awards at the West Virginia Public Relations Society of America’s (WV PRSA) 2023 Crystal Awards ceremony Aug. 15 in Charleston.

MHA received six Crystal Awards, the highest honor a public relations campaign can receive, from WV PRSA – four in the Campaigns category and two in the Tactics category. Additionally, they received two Awards of Merit in the Tactics category. Emma Magruder (BSJ, 2022) and Cheyenne Oakes (BSJ, 2023), both of whom are now graduate students in the College’s Integrated Marketing Communications program, represented the agency at the ceremony alongside Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) Program Chair Geah Pressgrove.

Read Full Article: MHA wins eight statewide public relations awards

Britten wins AEJMC teaching award

Bob Britten works with student in Media Innovation Center

Bob Britten, a teaching associate professor in the WVU Reed College of Media, was awarded the Dr. Sandy Utt Excellence in Teaching Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). He received the award earlier this month during the Innovation in Teaching panel at the AEJMC conference in Washington, D.C.

Each year, AEJMC recognizes instructors in the visual communication field for their innovation, excellence and contributions. Britten is the second recipient to receive the award after it was renamed in August 2022 for Utt, a long-time active AEJMC member and Reed College of Media alumna, who donated a portion of her retirement funds to the competition.

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Q&A: YNST founders talk about inspiration, success and the future

YNST Executive Team

YNST (You’re Not Seeing Things) Magazine is a print and digital media company founded in 2023 by a group of WVU Reed College of Media alumni “to amplify the unseen creative voices of Appalachia’s arts and culture.” They feature stories and work about and from the region’s authors, designers, photographers and artists. Founders include Adam Payne (BSJ, 2021; MS Digital Marketing Communications, 2022), Kasey Lettrich (BSJ, 2022), Annika Godwin (BSJ, 2022), Olivia Gianettino (BSJ, 2022) and Savanna Shriver (BSJ, 2021).

YNST Executive Team: Joseph Lucey, Olivia Gianettino, Adam Payne, Kasey Lettrich, Annika Godwin and Savanna Shriver

Read Full Article: Q&A: YNST founders talk about inspiration, success and the future

Fraustino and Cole receive College of Media faculty awards

Julia Fraustino and Heather Cole

Each year, the WVU Reed College of Media recognizes faculty members for their innovative research and exceptional teaching. The 2022-23 awards were presented to Julia Fraustino and Heather Cole.

Fraustino, an assistant professor in Advertising and Public Relations, was the recipient of the Faculty Research Award, which recognizes outstanding scholarly work or creative activity. She is the founder of the College’s Public Interest Communications Research Lab, where she leads several state- and federally-funded public health projects that use data-driven communications to enhance positive behavioral change. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, including by the U.S. Army, which honored her with the Civilian Commendation Medal in 2021 for her exceptional service to the state and nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read Full Article: Fraustino and Cole receive College of Media faculty awards

College of Media and Bellaire High School students partner on environmental reporting project

Students photograph area by a bridge along river in Ohio Valley with early morning mist

During the spring semester, WVU Reed College of Media students assisted students from Bellaire High School in Ohio with a year-long photography project to document and explore their surrounding community.

Teaching Associate Professor David Smith led the independent study course along with Rebecca Kiger, photojournalist and artist-in-residence at Bellaire High School.

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College of Media celebrates graduates; Widmeyer awarded honorary degree

Scott Widmeyer receives honorary doctorate

WVU Reed College of Media graduates were celebrated for their perseverance and accomplishments during the College’s commencement ceremony Friday, May 12, at the WVU Coliseum.

More than 190 College of Media graduates attended the ceremony, earning bachelor’s degrees in Advertising and Public Relations, Game Design and Interactive Media, Journalism, Multidisciplinary Media Studies, and Sports and Adventure Media, and master’s degrees in Data Marketing Communications, Digital Marketing Communications, Integrated Marketing Communications and Journalism.

Read Full Article: College of Media celebrates graduates; Widmeyer awarded honorary degree

Gee, Hyett and Allison receive College of Media alumni awards

Chad Hyett receives alumni award

A celebrated public finance lawyer, an executive vice president in healthcare communications and an Emmy award–winning producer were recognized as outstanding alumni at the WVU Reed College of Media’s Spring Honors Ceremony.

Each year, the College seeks nominations and presents alumni awards, including those that recognize philanthropic support; service to the College; and demonstrated success within the first 10 years post-graduation. The 2022–23 awardees include Samme Gee (BSJ, 1975), Chad Hyett (BSJ, 2001) and Morgan Allison (BSJ, 2014).

Read Full Article: Gee, Hyett and Allison receive College of Media alumni awards

College of Media students receive regional SPJ awards

WVU News set

The WVU Reed College of Media’s three student-produced newscasts — “WVU News,” “West Virginia Today” and “Mountaineer Playbook” — all received Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards presented by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

SPJ is the nation’s oldest journalism organization, and the annual Mark of Excellence awards recognize the best in collegiate print, radio, television and online news. First-place winners from Region 4, which includes Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, go on to compete at the national level among other Mark of Excellence winners from the 12 SPJ regions. WVU placed first in four categories.

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Inaugural Indie Games Showcase Gets a Lot of Play

Indie Games Showcase

Walking into the WVU Media Innovation Center on Saturday, April 1, was like walking into a techie’s dream. Attendees of the Indie Games Showcase were testing out locally made video games, experiencing virtual reality and wowing each other with game development ideas.

This inaugural event was hosted by MonRiverGames, a nonprofit founded by WVU Reed College of Media Teaching Assistant Professor Heather Cole. MonRiverGames values “games for good” — creating meaningful and purposeful games — and aims to provide enriching and professional experiences within game design and the arts for both students and members of the community. This mission was the inspiration for hosting the showcase.

Read Full Article: Inaugural Indie Games Showcase Gets a Lot of Play