Former editor of AP, publisher speaks to College of Communications scholars

By Dustin Dearman, Herald Staff

The College of Communications Student Honors Banquet was held on Wednesday at the Fowler Center Grand Hall.

Speaking at the banquet was Larry A. McDermott, the publisher of the Union-News and Sunday Republican of Springfield, Mass., and ASU alumnus.

McDermott has been an editor and publisher with Newhouse Newspapers for 12 years. In January 1999, after serving as executive editor from September 1991 until January 1998, he was named editor and associate publisher.

McDermott was a reporter, editor and corporate executive for the Associated Press.
His AP experience as a reporter included sports writing, features and political analysis.

He began his journalism career as a reporter at The Jonesboro Sun, where he worked for two years while attending ASU. He also served as editor of The Herald.
He currently is co-chair of the Massachusetts Media-Judiciary Committee.

McDermott spoke about the importance of journalism and how his determination and drive brought him to the upper ranks of his profession.

McDermott commended the College of Communications and ASU on its advancement since he attended in the 1970s.

This also was the first year the Speech Communications Department has been a member of the College of Communications.

Several organizations also honored student achievement.
· American Advertising Federation: Amanda Suel, outstanding member; Alissa Harris, outstanding senior.

· Association of Women in Communications: Shay Nanke, Alissa Harris, members of the year and Alicia Smith, honorary member.

· National Broadcasting Society: Shay Nanke, member of the year.

·National Press Photographers Association: Bethany Erwin, photographer of the year; Brooks Sample, outstanding senior.

· Public relations Student Society of America: Andrea Smalec, member of the year; Jill Jeffress, Sullivan & Associates member of the year.

· Society of Professional Journalists: Shay Nanke, outstanding member; Alicia Smith, outstanding senior.

· Department of Journalism and Printing: Alicia Smith, outstanding student.

· Department of Radio-Television: Kortney Penny, outstanding student; Beth Hunt, Paul Bond Award; Mary Heur, Jones Production 1999-00 scholastic achievement Award.

· Department of Speech Communication: Katherine Hington, outstanding student.

· Robert L. Hoskins Award for Professional Achievement: Shane Carter and Amber Henderson.

There also were a number of scholarships awarded.

Adrian Hedley Memorial: Robin Spence; Arkansas Broadcasters Association Ted Rand Memorial: Marcia Mays of Wynne High School; Arkansas Farm Bureau Marvin Vines Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Newberg; Arkansas Press Association: Amanda Suel, Vikki Jones; Bill gibson Memorial: Brandy Craig; Chad Lewis Memorial: Hannah Dolle; Charles Raspberry: Leisa Nunnally, Kellie McGhee, Samantha Turnage; Gamma Epsilon Tau: Lewis Scivally; J.D. Rogers Memorial: Young-Lin Chang; Kip Moore Memorial: Lee Cate; Lloyd Keith Merhag Memorial: Lewis Scivally; Robert L. Hoskins Memorial: Marquita McClina; Robert W. Kern: Wedy Wallace; Troutt Scholarship: Meghan Hackney, Shannon Knebel; Whitehead-Kimball: Wes Reynaud; William Randolph Hearst: Deon Jones, Cheesa Parham, Marquita McClina, darryl Spinks, Lorie Johnson, Dana Callaway and Bran Williams.