Journalism award winners recognized, MSU spokesperson Emily Gerkin Guerrant speaks at banquet


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Journalism students, publications and programs were honored at the anual Central Michigan University Department of Journalism Awards Banquet on April 13 at Powers Ballroom.

Scholarship award winners, student photojournalists, Grand Central Magazine, Central Michigan Life and journalism department programs were all recognized for awards won both at and beyond CMU.

Michigan State University spokesperson Emily Gerkin Guerrant, a CMU journalism alumna, acknowledged the important role CMU had on her later success in communications during her keynote address.

“My time at CM Life was what turned me on to a few things that I would enjoy in my career,” Guerrant said. “Constant variety, the ability to be diving into new topics each day and asking a lot of questions. That drove my roommates crazy.

“Classwork and all that time at CM Life really prepared me for the other side (of public relations). How to work with journalists, knowing what they’d be interested in, how to position something.”

Guerrant previously worked with Michigan Economic Development Corporation, including with the “Pure Michigan” campaign. Guerrant heard from many people that the campaign helped them stay positive during the recession.

“An unintended side effect was that it resolved a lot of pride in the state,” Guerrant said.

In March, Guerrant became the new spokesperson and vice president for Government and External Relations for MSU, her other alma mater.

“When taking this new position and going back, I’m motivated by wanting to help a university that’s been through a lot of struggles and a lot of hurt,” Guerrant said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

Scholarship winners Qi Zhou and Song Wang said they were both touched by Guerrant’s story.

Zhou also said it’s particularly special for him to win a journalism scholarship since he is a non-native English speaker from China.

“It was exciting,” Zhou said.“I’m really proud of myself.”

Wang, who is also an international student from China, said her reaction was similar when she found out that she won.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Wang said. “I was so excited.”

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