The Agora, Monroe County Community College's student-led newspaper and e-zine, earned 15 journalism awards this past school year.
Most notably The Agora took first place in the Apple Awards for best website in the two-year school category in the College Media Awards national contest. Lexi Greenwood, Agora features editor, earned an honorable mention for her column on battling mental health issues. The David L. Adams Apple
Awards are given as a 'Best of Show' at the annual CMA Spring Conference held in New York, NY. The awards are named in honor David L. Adams, a longtime CMA member and adviser at Indiana University, who died in 2007.
The Agora also earned six awards in the Michigan Press Association’s 2022 College Better Newspaper Contest. Lauren Werlinger earned an honorable mention as best writer. Werlinger also took second for feature writing. Michael Moser took honorable mention for a game review, and the staff earned third place for best front page for the April 4, 2022, issue. Greenwood took second in the news story category and Werlinger took third in news. MCCC competes in MPA’s Michigan Collegiate Press Association’s Division 3 against other two-year college publications or newspapers publishing less than weekly in Michigan.
Finally, the Agora earned seven awards in the Michigan Community College Press Association contest, which was hosted at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Marie Underwood took first place for feature photography. “Nice work capturing a natural candid moment from a planned event that shows emotion and interaction between the subjects,” according to the judge’s comments for Underwood’s entry.
Emma Marion took first place in the photo slideshow category and third place for feature photography.
Will Johnson took third place for in-depth enterprise reporting, "Well written, solid/tight writing, short strong lede, good lead into quotes,” according to the judge, and honorable mention for feature photography.
Moser earned honorable mention in the in-depth category and an honorable mention in the news photography category.
Dr. Matt Bird-Meyer, journalism and humanities instructor, serves as advisor to The Agora and its editorial, writing and photography staff. Attendance by MCCC students at both the national CMA conference and the MCPA conference was made possible in part by donors to the Dan Shaw Memorial Journalism Endowment that was created to honor Shaw who served as journalism instructor and advisor to The Agora prior to his retirement in 2019,
About The Foundation at Monroe County Community College
The Foundation at Monroe County Community College is the charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural experience of our students and community.
The Foundation at MCCC leverages voluntary support from donors to enhance the educational, literary, scientific, and cultural experience by helping Monroe County Community College meet its mission. The Foundation at MCCC touches thousands of lives each year through cultural arts programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives that guide and shape the business and civic leaders of tomorrow. Just as important, The Foundation offers a means for individuals of all ages and walks of life to express their philanthropy, act on their concerns, and follow the dictates of their hearts. For more information about The Foundation at MCCC visit www.monroeccc.edu/foundation.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.