Missouri Western State University journalism students brought home three second place finishes in the 2017 David J. Adams Apple Awards contest, announced during the national College Media Association Conference in New York City.

“In a national competition that featured entries from schools like the University of Miami, Oregon State, Temple, BYU and Alabama, Missouri Western fared very well,” said Dr. Robert Bergland, professor of journalism and digital media and adviser of The Griffon News.

Missouri Western’s yearbook, The Griffon, took second place in two categories: Best Yearbook Cover and Best Yearbook Spread. The cover honored was for the 2016-2017 edition, designed by Bryant Scott, editor-in-chief. The spread honored was in the 2015-2016 edition, designed by Jessie Eidson, last year’s editor-in-chief.

The Griffon News Network took second place in the Best TV Newscast category in just its first semester of filming. Brooke Anderson anchors the newscast; Jessica Kopp is the Griffon News editor-in-chief.

Journalism students also had the opportunities to make presentations at the conference.

“All in all it was a great experience for our students to compete nationally for prestigious awards and also share their expertise with college media staffs around from colleges and universities all over the country,” said Dr. James Carviou, assistant professor and Griffon Yearbook adviser.

The next student journalist gathering will be closer to home. Missouri Western will host the Missouri College Media Association Convention April 7 and 8. Kopp is the MCMA president. College journalists from across the state will gather in St. Joseph for educational workshops, social activities, and a banquet and award ceremony featuring a keynote address from Rob Curley, editor of the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.