Contact: Sammy McDavid
Allison P. Matthews
A Mississippi State graduate student who led the university's award-winning student newspaper last year is being honored for her achievement by a regional organization.
Allison P. Matthews is the Southeastern Journalism Conference's College Journalist of the Year. Established in 1989, the award recognizes journalistic ability, leadership skills, appreciation for journalism's ethical and legal responsibilities, and potential for future success, among other attributes.
SEJC represents nearly 50 universities and colleges in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Matthews was editor of The Reflector for the 1999-2000 school year. During that time, the twice-weekly full-size paper won first place in general excellence, layout and design, and editorials in the Mississippi Press Association's senior college competition. In SEJC competition, it was honored with the best sports section award and second place in the copy editing and sports story categories.
Matthews is a 1996 Starkville High School graduate and the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Powe. In addition to her first year of graduate study at Mississippi State, she currently works part time as a writer in the university's Office of Agricultural Communication, where she had worked as an undergraduate.
Also while an undergraduate, she received the communication department's Turner Catledge and A.G. "Aggie" Weems scholarships. Additionally, she was a Mississippi Press Association Foundation Scholar for three years.
Matthews was selected for membership in Who's Who Among American College and University Students, and for Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies.