NEWS RELEASE
April 18, 2012
Contact: Steve Rottinghaus, Baker University public relations director, (785) 594-8330 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Student newspaper honored again with All-Kansas Award

Baldwin City, Kan. — The Baker Orange, the student newspaper at Baker University, received top honors at the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press’ annual conference April 15-16 in Salina.

The Orange received the KACP’s All-Kansas Award for four-year, private-college newspapers. It marked the 13th time since 1998 that the Orange had received the All-Kansas newspaper award.

Rachel Hawkins, Olathe, served as the newspaper’s editor in the fall. Meagan Thomas, Florissant, Colo., is the editor for the spring semester. Hawkins was first runner-up in the Four-Year Newspaper Journalist of the Year competition at the conference, earning $100 and a plaque. Hawkins placed first in front-page design, and Thomas placed first in sports feature writing.

Thomas also partnered with Jenna Stanbrough, Emporia, to place first in multimedia storytelling, a combined competition between private and public schools.

The student media online site, thebakerorange.com, is a finalist for the Pacemaker Award. The last time the site received this honor was in 2008. The Pacemaker Awards will be announced during the Associated Collegiate Press national convention Oct. 31- Nov. 4 in Chicago. Marlee Johnson, Olathe, is the online editor.

Dave Bostwick, assistant professor of mass media, is the adviser for thebakerorange.com and the interim adviser for the Baker Orange during the spring 2012 semester. Professor Gwyn Mellinger, who is on sabbatical for the spring 2012 semester, was the newspaper adviser during the fall 2011 semester.

Here are Baker’s individual awards for the KACP contest for work published between March 2011 and February 2012:

Sports Feature Writing

First — Meagan Thomas, Florissant, Colo.,  "Tradition found in BU Relays"

Second — Chris Duderstadt, Overland Park  "Parents offer support for athletics"

Third — Katie Thurbon, Topeka  "Youth coaches suit up for success"

Sports News Writing

First – Sara Bell, Green Ridge, Mo. "BU track and field team brings home conference title"

Second – Chris Duderstadt, Overland Park "Anderson aids men's basketball team in win"

Third – Chris Duderstadt, Overland Park "Wrestling team faces nation's best"

Front-Page Design

First – Rachel Hawkins, Olathe

Editorial Writing

Second — The Baker Orange Staff  "BU overloaded with organizations"

Interior Page Design

Second — Tera Lyons, Strasburg, Colo.

Photo Essay

Second — Pat Howell, Overland Park HAAC men's basketball championship game

Feature Photography

Third – Callie Paquette, Ottawa

Sports Photography

Third – Pat Howell, Overland Park

Sports Column Writing

Third – Chris Duderstadt, Overland Park "Fans show patriotism"

Multimedia Storytelling

First – Jenna Stanbrough, Emporia and Meagan Thomas, Florissant, Colo., "The future of fine arts"

Second – Rachel Dannen, Olathe and Allysha Newton, Osawatomie "A passion for philanthropy"

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Baker University is committed to assuring student learning, and developing confident, competent and responsible contributors to society.