Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University Director of Student Publications Rachel Wedding McClelland has been awarded for her excellence in advising a student newspaper staff.

She received the 2013 Honor Roll Adviser award at the 2013 National College Media Convention in New Orleans on Oct. 24

The award is given to college newspaper advisers who have fewer than five years of experience advising. McClelland has served as the adviser for Indiana State's Indiana Statesman since 2009.

"Without question, Rachel is most deserved of the distinguished honor," ISU graduate Rondrell Moore, an anchor and reporter at WTHI television in Terre Haute, wrote in his recommendation letter. "As a former student, I am more than familiar with Rachel's methods, her skill set and most importantly her passion for journalism."

McClelland received her bachelor's degree in journalism and her master's degree in English from Indiana State University. In addition to serving as an adviser for the Statesman, she teaches classes in the communication department as an adjunct faculty member.

The College Media Association was founded in 1954 with the purpose of advising the staff of collegiate newspapers, yearbooks, magazines and electronic media publications. The association has 850 members nation-wide and holds biannual conventions for college media advisers and students.

"The College Media Association is an invaluable resource to people like me who come into this position and don't know where to turn to for help," McClelland said. "So it's great to be honored by the organization that has given me so much."

McClelland was nominated for the award by her colleagues and both current and former students who have worked under her guidance.

"This award means so much to me because the students were primary and instrumental in my nomination," McClelland said. "It says they value my guidance, and that's reward in itself."

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-PRh5v9t/0/L/i-PRh5v9t-L.jpg

Writer: Emily Sturgess, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3773 or esturgess@sycamores.indstate.edu