Font Size: A A A

Bluefield College paid tribute to the work of local journalists during its 13th Annual Media Appreciation Day, April 19, which featured remarks from performance improvement specialist Spencer Wood and the presentation of a $1,000 award for excellence in media.

Chris Shoemaker

April 27, 2012

Since 2000, Bluefield College has hosted the area’s media professionals on campus for a luncheon, keynote address and media-student roundtable, all part of Media Appreciation Day. The event, according to BC officials, is designed to “recognize area media representatives for their efforts in promoting Bluefield College and serving the community.”

“This is an opportunity for us to express our appreciation for the role you serve in our community,” said BC president, Dr. David Olive, who greeted the media guests from seven different local print and broadcast organizations, “for the ways in which you inform the community, and the ways in which you tell the Bluefield College story.”

As part of the recognition for the day, the college presented two Shott Excellence-in-Media Awards, made possible by the generosity of media entrepreneur Michael Shott and his North Point Foundation in an effort to help preserve the legacy of the Shott family who pioneered the presence of news media in the Bluefield area.

The Shott Excellence-in-Media Journalist Award, featuring a $1,000 cash prize and designed to recognize a local member of the media who demonstrates excellence in his or her vocation and who makes a significant contribution to the local community, went to WVVA videographer Mark Hughes, who outshined 15 other nominees from eight different organizations.

“He is a professional and a master at his skill,” said BC public relations director Chris Shoemaker, who helped James ‘Smokey’ Shott present the Excellence Awards. “He is an asset to all local media. He is behind the scenes, but deserves some front and center recognition.”

A native of Hinton, West Virginia, Hughes has served as a videographer for WVVA for 23 years, during which time he has received two West Virginia Associated Press Awards for “Best Photographic Journalism” and a 2012 Photojournalist of the Year Award from the West Virginia Broadcasters Association.

“Whether helping a new reporter through the intricacies of a homicide investigation or shooting the video to accompany an inspiring feature story, he treats his colleagues and sources with respect and professionalism,” said Princeton Times editor Tammie Toler. “He is a veteran photojournalist.”

The Shott Excellence-in-Media Student Award, featuring a $1,000 scholarship and designed to recognize a current BC communications student who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and in his or her extracurricular communications activities, went to junior Lydia Freeman of Bristol, Virginia, who serves as editor of the school newspaper, a resident assistant, a member of the student Union Board, and an award-winning member of the school’s PBL business club.

“Through it all, she continues to write in fresh new ways about everything she experiences,” said communications professor Mimi Merritt. “She is gifted with both an intense curiosity about the world and the talent to communicate her interests with her skillful use of language.”

A two-time Shott Excellence in Media Scholarship Award winner, Freeman studied abroad in China last spring before completing a summer internship for Capitol Connections magazine in Richmond, Virginia.

“She shows immense promise,” said communications professor Dr. Cindy Bascom, “and we fully expect her to make a positive and important impact in the world using her communication skills.”
BC’s Media Day program also included a keynote speech from Wood, an internationally renowned speaker and trainer in the areas of cutting-edge mental skills and toughness training. Wood spoke about the keys to being at your best when it matters the most, including composure, concentration, commitment, and self-confidence.
 

“You will never outperform your self-belief system,” Wood said about the need to have high self-confidence. “The key is to identify the triggers that disrupt your self-confidence and to eliminate them.”
 

Wood encouraged the journalists to approach each day with “fresh eyes” and with a commitment to improve in what they do. He also spoke about integrity and our response to adversity.

“There are two types of people,” Wood said. “Those who after adversity have less confidence, and those who following adversity have more confidence. Have a great plan in place, and in the midst of adversity let no power or persuasion divert you from that plan.”
 

BC’s Media Appreciation Day also included a roundtable discussion between members of the media and BC communications students. During the roundtable, the students and journalists discussed, among other issues and topics, how best to prepare for a career in journalism, the advantages of diversifying your skills, and how technology and social media have changed the media industry.

Comments: