Murray State University Journalism and Mass Communications Department

05/29/2026

JMC faculty members Dr. Marcie Hinton and Dr. Melony Shemberger enjoyed sabbaticals during the 2025-26 academic year. Read more about their work in our JMC Journal article linked below.

https://jmcjournal.org/?p=2391

05/28/2026

After a four-year absence, the MSU Ads Club competed in the National Student Advertising Competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation. The 2025-2026 NSAC assignment asked students to create a branding campaign for National Football League charities. Ads Club members presented their entry in the District 5 preliminary round in Kettering, Ohio (Dayton area), on April 18, 2026. Presenters were (from left) Abigail Price, Georgia Hall, Joshua Suttles and Derek Hess. Price received the Best Presenter Award.

05/27/2026

"Too many years ago, I was sitting among the cluttered bookcases in Professor Welsch’s office, daydreaming of having my own office someday, when he asked where I saw myself after graduation. I’m sure my answer was something like writing catchy slogans at an ad agency in New York City. I had never even been to New York, but it seemed plausible; glamorous, even. I originally thought obtaining my college degree would give me a straight line to a specific job title. Go to class, put in the work, get the degree, and then hopefully, a big flashy title. What Murray State actually gave me was a foundation of understanding how brands communicate, how audiences think, and how to position a message."

Read this story from alumna Megan Summers Haneline ('13) about how Murray State's JMC department prepared her for a 10-year career with Spotify.

https://jmcjournal.org/?p=2377

05/22/2026

Stuck inside on this rainy Friday afternoon? It's a great time to catch up on JMC happenings with this edition of the JMC Journal.

faculty and student organizations have enjoyed this semester. And, please, share our best wishes for a retiring Department Chair as we welcome a familiar new Interim Chair. Click the button below to view the JMC Journal website

05/21/2026

We are so proud of Caroline and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this summer.

Please join us in welcoming Caroline Smith to Paducah Bank as our Summer Marketing Intern!

Caroline is a graduate of McCracken County High School and is currently a senior Public Relations and Advertising major at Murray State University. She is also a former member of Paducah Bank’s Teen Ambassador Program.

Caroline is the daughter of Michael and Kelly Smith. We’re excited to have her creativity, energy, and fresh perspective on our marketing team this summer.

Help us give Caroline a big Paducah Bank WOW! welcome!

05/18/2026

Brent Norsworthy announces the Outstanding Senior in Graphic Communications Media. Elisha Butryn graduated in December. Butryn was a member of Racer Band, The Murray State News, the Honors College, and Ads Club. Butryn was unable to attend the awards ceremony.

05/17/2026

Jada Poindexter, left, was named the Outstanding Senior in Public Relations. Poindexter interned with BBDO and served as the director of publicity for PRSSA. A creative writing minor, her work has been published in Notations, and she carried a 4.0 GPA. She is pictured with Dr. Kevin Qualls, chairman of the JMC department.

05/16/2026

Natalie Gardner, left, won the MVP Award. Gardner served as president of PRSSA, interned at the Murray State Alumni Association and was a Racer Cheerleader. She is pictured with Elizabeth Thomas.