Editor/News Director of the Year: Four-Year Schools ( Division 1,Division 2,Division 3,Division 4)Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Baylor Entry Title: Rachel Royster Entry Credit: Rachel Royster Judge Comment: None
Competition Comment: To select a single individual from the collection of incredible student media practitioners is a nearly impossible task. The high quality of candidates and the exceptional work they produced is among some of the best journalism I have seen in many, many years. The variety of experiences, work products and leadership roles makes any comparatives difficult. Even more, it is important to understand that in elevating one person, it does not in any way diminish the other brilliant editors, producers and leaders who have entered this category.
The one crucial element that helped created the narrow margin to separate the top candidate from the rest of the worthy pool was this: The Editor/News Director of the Year needed to demonstrate exceptional leadership both in times of crisis and during day-in, day-out work shifts, while also being willing to engage fearlessly in bold and valuable journalism for the sake of their audience.
Rachel Royster of the Baylor Lariat has distinguished herself in this regard, as well as so many others. It is for that reason she has earned the honor of Editor of the Year.
