Dear Alumni and Friends,
The start of a new academic year always brings fresh energy to Andersen Hall, and yesterday’s college retreat was a powerful reminder of the strength of our CoJMC community. Our faculty and staff are deeply dedicated to creating a welcoming home for every student, pushing the boundaries of our industry, and sparking opportunities that help Huskers chase their biggest dreams. With new students, new colleagues, and new opportunities ahead, I’m excited to share some recent milestones that are shaping our story in big ways.
This month, CoJMC racked up three national honors. We were recognized for our commitment to building an inclusive learning community with the 2025 Equity & Diversity Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, we received our Certification in Education for Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America, and recent graduates Jackson Atwell ('24) and Ben Drozd ('25) won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Podcasting for 93 Counties episode "Nance County: Genoa Indian Industrial School Museum."
That’s not all. Our broadcasting Huskers hauled home eight Pinnacle Awards from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association convention, while Dale Johnson and Mike McKnight ('77) joined the NBA Hall of Fame. And, just last weekend, 11 more graduates walked across the stage and into the next chapter of their careers.
Our faculty and staff continue to raise the bar as well. Natalie Becerra and Haley Hamel both earned Staff Senate Awards, and Frauke Hachtmann was honored with the Innovative Teaching Award from UNL's Honors Program.
At Andersen Hall, we are welcoming two new superstars to our faculty. Meet Kelsey Slater and Elle Stecher who are already having an impact on our students. We've also completed an exciting upgrade to our podcast studio, giving students access to professional-quality video production tools alongside broadcast-ready audio. Over the summer, we hosted aspiring journalists from across the state at the Nebraska High School Press Association summer camp, fueling the next generation of storytellers.
Looking ahead, I hope you'll join us at some upcoming events. The Flatwater Free Press Festival returns Sept. 17, bringing journalism to the stage in a one-of-a-kind Nebraska celebration. And of course, we look forward to welcoming you back to Andersen Hall on Oct. 3 for our Homecoming Celebration. Mark your calendars, reconnect with friends and come see what’s new at CoJMC!
Thank you for being part of our community. Every award, every upgrade and every success story is made possible by your support and pride in our college.
Go Big Red!
Shari
