Journalism Department celebrates 10th annual awards banquet Wednesday
Lorrie Lynch told a room full of journalism students this week to always bring their ‘A’ game to the workplace.
Lynch was the 2010 distinguished Central Michigan University journalism alumna and was the featured speaker at CMU’s 10th annual journalism award banquet, held Wednesday in the Bovee University Center Rotunda Room.
She graduated in 1975 and was senior editor and columnist for USA Weekend magazine, San Francisco bureau chief for USA Today and has interviewed celebrities including George Clooney and Elizabeth Taylor.
But her career in journalism started at Central Michigan Life.
“I feel like the prodigal daughter,” she said about returning to CMU. “I can feel that my career has been respected, I feel validated.”
Over 40 students were recognized as recipients of scholarships, awards and honorable mentions.
“We’ve had a pretty good turnout,” said Sarah Cuthbertson, graduate student and member of the event’s planning committee. “It’s important to recognize students with outstanding achievement in the field, and highlight their accomplishments in journalism.”
The event started with an open meet and greet and an introduction by Maria Marron, chairwoman for the Department of Journalism.
Central Michigan Life and its staff were recognized for receiving several awards ranging from overall newspaper design, headline writing and advertising to feature page design, multimedia reporting and online newspaper, among others.
“I’m deeply impressed by the quality of the (journalism) program, this is proof that it works,” said Elina Erzikova, assistant professor of journalism. “The faculty is very student-oriented. Every teacher is concerned with student success.”
Lynch imparted lessons gathered from her successful career to the crowd during her speech.
She emphasized the importance of connections, especially if your “reputation and work ethic are really solid.”
She advised future graduates to take risks and be fearless when facing the job market.
“The journalism department has shown me a lot of love,” Lynch said.
