Tuesday, August 29, 2023

I’m in a Hall of Fame, y’all

https://collegemedia.org/cma-to-induct-steven-chappell-into-hall-of-fame-2/



Steven Chappell, a college media adviser with more than three decades of service to College Media Association, will be inducted into CMA’s hall of fame this fall.

Inclusion on the list is CMA’s highest honor, said Chris Whitley, the organization’s president.

“In 30 years of working with college media, Steven has given so much of his time to help CMA, from being the tech guru at conventions when he first started to being the organization’s treasurer on its board of directors,” Whitley said. “Throughout that time, I’ve always known him to be one of the first people to help out if something needed to be done and the first one to assist an adviser who needed guidance.”

Chappell serves as an instructor of mass media and director of student publications at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. He has been a media adviser and active member of CMA since 1993, arriving to the profession after 10 years as a professional journalist.

He is also the founder of the Twitter feed @comminternships, which shares internship and entry-level openings in communication jobs across the globe.

Chappell began advising at Northwest Missouri State after being recommended for the job by Laura Widmer, who had held the adviser’s job there for decades.

“I first met Steve when he attended the CMA New Advisers Workshop in Washington, D.C.,” Widmer said. “I was the instructor for that workshop. His personality filled the room then, and that started a great friendship that continues today. He’s unique. He’s smart. He’s student-focused. He’s an incredible adviser. He’s a hall of fame adviser.

“The biggest compliment I can give Steve is after 29 years I left my job at Northwest Missouri State University and went to Iowa State. I made one phone call for the one adviser I wanted to take my job. Steve Chappell was that one call. I knew he would take care of the program I built, and would take it to the next level.”

Before becoming a full-time college media adviser, Chappell was a sports photographer, sports editor and newspaper editor.

He was named to the CMA Four-Year College Newspaper Adviser Honor Roll in 2004 for outstanding media advising and service to the organization. 

He received the President’s Award from the Southeast Journalism Convention in 2010 for his work as vice president and contest coordinator, and he was named Missouri College Media Association Adviser of the Year for 2016.

His @comminternships feed has landed him roles as a communications internship expert with organizations such as ProfNet, Reuters and LinkedIn. 

The John A. Boyd Hall of Fame recognizes longtime CMA members who have contributed to the betterment of the organization and student media programs, in general.

Those considered for this award must have contributed to college journalism education for at least 20 years while being an active member of CMA. 

Whitley, the CMA president, said Chappell will be inducted during the National College Media Convention, the nation’s largest gathering of collegiate journalists, media students and their advisers. 

This year’s convention runs Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 in Atlanta.

“Steven is the quintessential college media adviser,” Whitley said. “He loves the job. He fights for his students and for his colleagues. He pitches in on anything that’s needed to help the organization. And he loves all things CMA.

“If ever someone deserves a place in CMA’s hall of fame, it’s Steven Chappell.”

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Time for a relaunch

This blog has been inactive for the better part of two years, but it's time to refocus and redevelop this into a solid resource for those with a passion for journalism, and particularly those with a passion for grammar and AP Style.
Pretty much everything I am involved with will be posted here, but I promise all of it will be relevant to mass media and college student media going forward. Keep an eye out for the posts and updates!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Well, I don't post often these days...

Life has been busy. And frankly, Twitter and Facebook more responsive to my rants. But just in case your head has been under a rock, check out my newest blog:

http://www.fireraywatts.com

Save UAB Football. #FreeUAB

Thursday, December 5, 2013

This is just wrong....