Members of Collegian Media Group’s three publications, The Kansas State Collegian, The Royal Purple and Manhappenin’ Magazine, represented K-State at this year’s Fall National College Media convention in Kansas City from Nov. 4-7, earning a program record-breaking number of national awards.
Student journalists from across the country gathered to share skills and expertise at a media convention last week, before ending with an awards ceremony where various participating schools and students received national honors. CMG publications won over 30 awards; the largest quantity awarded within the program’s history. All publications received national accolades across multiple Best of Show, individual and College Media Association pinnacle categories.
Among the highest honors earned at the convention, Meredith McCalmon, 2025-2026 editor-in-chief of the Kansas State Collegian, won Associated Collegiate Press reporter of the year. Moreover, multiple CMG members won top national placements, such as Cole Brogden, sophomore in news and sports media and Collegian video editor, who earned first place Best of Show broadcast feature story.
CMG collected 11 total Best of Show recognitions this year, a significant increase from the two won last fall. This year’s top publication placements included second place media kit; fourth place yearbook to the Royal Purple; fifth place website and sixth place newspaper to the Collegian; and eighth place magazine to the Manhappenin’ Magazine.
The program received 13 CMA pinnacle awards, including the Collegian and the Royal Purple earning second place for media website and yearbook of the year.
“The conference was a great experience, especially as a freshman,” Savannah Doney, freshman in news and sports media and Royal Purple photographer, said. “I think it was a great introduction to collegiate media, being able to see what I can work towards in the future for myself and with Royal Purple. Getting to see how the work of Royal Purple and CMG got recognized was inspiring.”
Lily Oudsema, freshman in news and sports media and Royal Purple photographer, said there was a feeling of pride for all CMG victories earned at the convention.
“It didn’t matter which part of CMG you worked for; we were all so excited to hear our names and groups being called for the awards,” Oudsema said. “We had pom-poms, and every time we won an award, we’d wave them and cheer. It was an amazing experience, and I feel that CMG’s performance as a whole was really good.”
Beyond numerous national awards, CMG members took home valuable knowledge from esteemed and experienced journalists at informative sessions and keynote speeches, as well as networking with fellow student media members — opportunities Doney said will benefit her future in student journalism.
“The sessions taught me a lot within journalism ethics and what can strengthen my work,” Doney said.
CMG will continue its momentum into the spring semester, with the Collegian planning to attend the Kansas Collegiate Media Spring Conference, along with the Manhappenin’ Magazine attending the ACP Spring convention in La Jolla, California.
