A school-sanctioned caravan of students from Northern Michigan University’s Communication and Media Studies department packed up and made the trek across the Mackinac Bridge for a chance to stand among some of the state’s most talented student broadcasters. Eager to showcase their work, the students took pride in the projects and hands-on opportunities that earned them an invitation to the awards, highlighting the strength and creativity fostered within their program.

On Thursday, March 26, a small group of CAMS students took part in the awards show—some as nominees, others there to support their classmates and take advantage of job fairs and networking opportunities. Beyond the excitement of the ceremony and potential career connections, two dedicated multimedia journalism students were also recognized for their achievements, each receiving up to $1,000 in scholarships to further their education in the field. Luke Knittle and Emma Marotz were honored with the awards and invited to attend an exclusive breakfast alongside fellow scholarship recipients.

“I was a scholarship and award nominee during the MAB trip, and it was incredible,” said attending student Emma Marotz. “As an aspiring broadcaster, it was great to meet professionals in the field and get advice from some of the best. I also loved getting to find out more about investigative journalism and how to grow and be successful in my field.”

A group of students who worked as a team to produce a sports broadcast was nominated for “Best Live Sports Coverage” in the college audio section. That group of students earned an honorable mention. The production team included Emma Marotz, Nathan Phipps, Austin Graham, Tristen Harsila and Nora Lee.

While at the event, attending NMU students and staff had the opportunity to represent the university. This event was not only for Michigan universities, but Michigan high schools as well. The CAMS department set up a recruiting table to offer high school students interested in studying broadcasting the opportunity to speak directly with NMU department heads, as well as current students.

“I thought it was a great experience to support my department and to support NMU,” said attending student Bianca Kroll. “I also loved that I was able to talk to my future employers to find my ideal career.”

As the students made the trip back across the bridge, they carried more than awards and connections, but a sense of pride for a job well done, along with memories and new friendships to last a lifetime. This trip was more than a single event—it was a stepping stone toward future careers in broadcast journalism. These experiences continue to highlight the impact of NMU’s programs, proving that the next generation of broadcasters is already making its mark.