POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks student newscast, The Point, has been recognized for excellence in journalism by The Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

The Point news magazine is a product of The Point Broadcast Newsroom applied learning workstation at College of the Ozarks.  Student journalists produce the bi-weekly news magazine with a focus on stories of interest to the campus community.  The Point Broadcast Newsroom was established in the fall of 2016.  Since then, student journalists of The Point news magazine have been honored with more than 80 collegiate journalism awards at the state, regional, and national levels.

“Our student journalists of The Point Newsroom have a commitment to excellence, and I am gratified to see the diligence and perseverance they bring to their journalistic work each day,” said Erin Hayes, associate professor of journalism and supervisor of The Point Broadcast Newsroom. “The Mid-America NATAS Student Production Awards are another acknowledgement of our students’ efforts, their talent, and their dedication to the principles of journalism. I am very blessed to be their teacher.”

Hayes is an award-winning journalist and former ABC news correspondent. In 2017, she was inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle. She is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and a winner of the National Sigma Delta Chi Award for Investigative Reporting. She received the National Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, three Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Awards (broadcasting’s Pulitzer Prize) and was recognized for her work during ABC News’ coverage of 9/11.

The Point received 14 awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The 14 winners and nominees from The Point are:

College Magazine Program – Winner: “Coverage of 9/11 Memorial Service”

• Aric Avey, senior journalism major from Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
• Clancy Callahan, senior journalism major from Swifton, Arkansas
• Jaden Lester, senior journalism major from Heber Springs, Arkansas

College News Report - Light News – Winner: “A Night to Shine”

• Cienna Romines, 2023 graduate from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, B.A. in journalism
• Abby Riffel, senior journalism major from from Sterling, Kansas
• Aric Avey

College Non-Fiction Short Form - Winner: “Never Forget”

• Aric Avey
• Clancy Callahan

College Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs - Winner: “Culinary Artistry”

• Alexander Olson, 2023 graduate from Florissant, Missouri, B.S. in culinary arts

• Bethany French, 2023 graduate from Brighton, Illionis, B.A. in journalism

• Cienna Romines

College Craft Talent News - Winner

• Bethany French

College Craft Photographer - Winner 

• Photojournalists of The Point

College Craft Editor - Winner

• Clancy Callahan

College Craft Writer - Winner 

• Abby Riffel

College Magazine Program - Nominee:  The Point – February 16, 2023

College News Report - Serious News - Nominee: “Snow and Ice”

• Clancy Callahan
• Bethany French

College News Report - Light News - Nominee: “Auction Day”

• Aric Avey
• Matthew Clark, senior history major from Malden, Missouri

College Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs - Nominee: “Quilting and Clay”

• Covering Culture

College Craft Editor - Nominee

• Abby Riffel

College Craft Writer - Nominee

• Clancy Callahan

About The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Production Awards

The purpose of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Production Awards is to recognize outstanding student achievement in production by conferring awards of merit in the chapter’s designated awards region. The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence by those studying media and journalism and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements by undergraduate college and/or high school students.

The board of Mid-America NATAS” celebrates innovation and integrity across all platforms of visual media and is dedicated to advancing careers and promoting educational opportunities in Mid-America for the next generation.