The Spectrum Newspaper

The Cottey College Spectrum newspaper is a broadsheet publication produced four times each semester and distributed to the Cottey community. This publication provides students the opportunity to report on Cottey and Nevada/Vernon County news. Through work on the Spectrum, students gain critical hands-on experience in reporting, writing (news, features, editorial), digital photography, editorial cartooning, layout and design, copyediting, teamwork and leadership.

Its staff comprises those students enrolled in the Newspaper Practicum, News Reporting and Writing and Literary and Investigative Journalism. Students interested in participating in the student newspaper but not enrolled in the courses often serve as contributing writers and photographers. The Spectrum offers students the opportunity for a variety of levels of involvement.

Staffers for the 2007-2008 year are led by editor Theresa Romero. Business manager for The Spectrum is Kaeli Barrett. Student editors lead and work one-on-one with writers, photographers and designers, and our business manager has regular contact with community businesses and organizations interested in advertising with The Spectrum.

The Spectrum staff meets regularly in Cottey’s student publication and has access to technology available there, including layout and design software like Adobe’s Creative Studio 3. High quality digital cameras and Photoshop, as well as other software for digital image editing, are also available.

The Spectrum staff receives regular recognition by the Missouri College Media Association for journalism excellence during its annual conference held each spring. In 2006, The Spectrum received 19 awards in categories ranging from In-depth News Reporting to Editorial Cartoons and Advertising. In 2005, The Spectrum staff walked away 14 awards, and the year prior to that with 19 awards, including first-place awards for entertainment review, sports writing, in-depth and investigative reporting and feature photography.

Being a member of The Spectrum means being a member of a team. The academic year begins with a staff retreat during which goals are solidified and expectations set. Editors, writers, photographers and designers engage in strategic planning for the upcoming year. This retreat also provides a time for staffers to get to know one another personally and enjoy time together at BIL Hill. Because they work so closely with one another, the staff quickly forms bonds that extend beyond professional working relationships to close friendships.

In the fall the staff attends the Missouri Press Association conference held at various locations in the state. There, they attend professional development sessions with working journalists and a business meeting of the Missouri College Media Association. In the spring, they join their student journalism colleagues from across the state at the annual MCMA conference, which features educational sessions by professional journalists, editors and educators and an awards banquet.

The MPA and MCMA experience allows students to network with other student and professional journalists during their first two years in higher education. Because Cottey is a two-year institution, our students graduate with experience usually reserved for juniors and seniors in journalism programs at larger institutions.