Students and faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications won 22 Eric Sevareid Awards for exceptional broadcasting journalism during the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association annual convention on April 5 in Minneapolis.
The Eric Sevareid Awards is a highly competitive competition that celebrates excellence in journalism in the Midwest region, named after the legendary journalist who worked for CBS Radio and Television. The awards are presented annually by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association and judged by a panel of distinguished journalists and educators from outside the six-state region to ensure fairness.
“We are incredibly proud of our Eric Sevareid award winners for their hard work, dedication and talent. These awards are a testament to their commitment to storytelling and their ability to produce high-quality journalism,” said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “It's also a reflection of the excellent education they receive here at the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where we nurture curious and creative minds to thrive in the ever-changing media and communication professions."
Assistant Professor of Practice Kaci Richter earned first place in the Lifestyle or Specialty Programs category for “The Mixtape: Running with Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.” Hitchcock Professor of Journalism Barney McCoy earned an award of merit in the Hard Feature category for “Seven Years A Correspondent.”
The following is a list of student award winners by hometown, including their year, major, category and entry title.
First Place Winners
Nebraska
- Bellevue: Anne Gallagher, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, TV Investigative category, How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S.
- Cairo: Breanna Fanta, senior, advertising and public relations and journalism, Radio Investigative category, Data and Crime in Lincoln
- Elm Creek: Hallie Gutzwiller, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, TV Hard Feature category, Platte River Prairies
- Lincoln: Emerson McClure, 2023 graduate, advertising and public relations and journalism, Radio Hard Feature category, Lincoln's Local Food Supply Plan; Jackson Reddick, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Audio Soft Feature category, UNL Bee Lab & Reactor Coffee
- Nebraska City: Macy Neumeister, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and journalism, Cable Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Omaha: Lucas Sinnett, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Cable Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
Elsewhere
- Lake Bluff, Illinois: Connor Clark, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Radio Sports Play-by-Play category, Men’s Basketball Nebraska vs. Michigan State
- Overland Park, Kansas: Ellie Kuckelman, 2023 graduate, journalism, Individual Multimedia Storytelling category, Entering Everett: A neighborhood of diversity, strength and community
- Columbia, Missouri: Marissa Kraus, senior, journalism, TV Lifestyle or Specialty Programming category, No Coast Junior Roller Derby
- Orchard Park, New York: Jacob Schrantz, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, TV Sports Play-by-Play category, Nebraska Volleyball vs Rutgers
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Alexis Goeman, senior, advertising and public relations, Radio General Reporting category, UNMC/UNK Rural Health Building Breaks Ground
- Lebanon, Tennessee: Alex Neill, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Audio Sports Reporting category, Winnebago Golf Association
- El Paso, Texas: Jay Quemado, senior, broadcasting and journalism, Cable Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Rice Lake, Wisconsin: Alaina Tomesh, senior, broadcasting, Cable Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
Awards of Merit
Nebraska
- Bellevue: Nathan Hawkins, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, TV Hard Feature category, O Street Accidents
- Cairo: Breanna Fanta, senior, advertising and public relations and journalism, Radio Sports Reporting category, Nebraska Football Dynasties
- Grand Island: Skylee Nelson, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Radio General Reporting category, Lincoln Public Schools and Student Phones
- Lincoln: Samantha Grove, senior, anthropology, broadcasting and journalism, Podcast category, 93 Counties - Gage County: Beatrice Special Olympics; Emerson McClure, 2023 graduate, advertising and public relations and journalism, Radio Soft Feature category, Good Life Halfsy Run Turns 10; Kloee Sander, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, Individual Multimedia Storytelling category, Sticker Shock
- Nebraska City: Macy Neumeister, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and journalism, TV Evening Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Omaha: Dillon Pelster, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Radio General Reporting category, Omaha Housing Market; Lucas Sinnett, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, TV Evening Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
Elsewhere
- Apple Valley, Minnesota: Jill Lamkins, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, TV Soft Feature category, Battle of the Food Scientists
- El Paso, Texas: Jay Quemado, senior, broadcasting and journalism, TV Evening Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Rice Lake, Wisconsin: Alaina Tomesh, senior, broadcasting, TV Evening Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
To learn more about the Eric Sevareid Awards, visit https://midwestjournalists.org/sevareid-awards/.
