Last November, we celebrated numerous achievements within the CoJMC community. David Swotek, a junior broadcasting and sports media and communication double major from Lincoln, was awarded November Student of the Month; Linda White, Deepe Family Endowed Chair in Depth Reporting, was named the November Professor of the Month; and assistant professor Jason Stamm, as well as, staff members Karez Hassan, Natalie Becerra and Tiffany Groteluschen were selected as the November Not Too Shabby award-winners.
Swotek was recognized for his dedication and skill in broadcasting. Associate professor and general manager of 90.3 KRNU Rick Alloway nominated Swotek.
"First, he was one of the hosts for interviews of high school basketball players on KRNU2 during our student media days events," Alloway said. "He conducted a series of conversational and informational interviews with our student-athlete guests, providing them with valuable experience in handling live interview settings."
"David is also in his second semester of hosting a really well-produced show on 90.3 KRNU called 'After The Credits,' with soundtrack selections and fun facts from a different film each week," Alloway said. "He puts a lot of work into his show."
The CoJMC Student Advisory Board selects students of the month based on the kudos they received during the previous month. Award winners can choose from three prizes: a college t-shirt, a Starbucks gift card, or lunch with CoJMC Dean Shari Veil.
White, November Professor of the Month award-winner, joined the college in August 2023 upon earning her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Before entering academia, she spent 25 years as a television news anchor and reporter at NBC and ABC affiliates.
Sophomore advertising and public relations major Basilia Kostopanagiotou nominated White.
"Linda is one of the kindest people I have ever met; she genuinely cares about every single student in our class," Kostopanagiotou said. "I have never had a professor with whom I have ever felt a strong bond, and Linda has finally given me that experience. She is also such a fantastic lecturer, and I appreciate the real-world experience that she brings."
All students can nominate CoJMC faculty for Professor of the Month. The CoJMC Student Advisory Board reviews nominations monthly and selects the recipient.
The Not Too Shabby Awards recognize staff and faculty members whose efforts go above and beyond the call of duty and have earned the appreciation of their peers. In November, Stamm received the faculty award and was nominated by assistant professor of practice Jill Martin.
"Congratulations on two incredibly successful media days; I was so impressed by the energy, engagement and organization of everyone involved," Martin said. "You spent a lot of time planning in the months leading up to the event, and it paid off. Kudos to you, your Unlimited Sports leads and all students and faculty who made the day a success."
Hassan, Groteluschen and Becerra received the November Not Too Shabby staff awards.
Hassan, an academic advisor, was nominated by Becerra.
"Kudos to Karez for coordinating such a great Lunch & Learn this month," Becerra said. "Having Heather come in and talk about work-life balance and managing stress came at just the right time, and she had some very helpful tips to share. Great idea!!"
Groteluschen, an administrative coordinator, was nominated by director of business and operations Haley Hamel.
"Thank you for all your help with collecting data for the accreditation self-study and helping to prepare for the ACEJMC site team visit," Hamel said. "The workroom looks amazing, and I appreciate all your help."
Becerra, a career development specialist, was also nominated by Hamel.
"Thank you for helping to set up and beautify the site team workroom," Hamel said. "The space looks amazing and should provide them with an excellent working environment."
The Not Too Shabby Awards are voted on monthly by members of the CoJMC Staff Council. Peer-to-peer kudos submissions serve as the nominations for the awards and winners are presented with a trophy to display in their offices for a month. The trophies move from recipient to recipient when a new award winner is named.
To nominate a CoJMC community member for Student of the Month or a Not Too Shabby Award, recognize their commitment to college values by giving them kudos. To honor a CoJMC faculty member who goes above and beyond to support student learning, nominate them for Professor of the Month. All award recipients receive an email notification and certificate acknowledging their contributions to the CoJMC community.
