Two Missouri School of Journalism students dominate Hearst Awards Television competition
COLUMBIA, Mo. (Jan. 8, 2024) — Missouri School of Journalism junior Nathan Lee and senior Hunter Walterman placed in the top five in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s Television I — Features competition, with Nathan Lee taking home first place.
The top finishes honored stories aired on KOMU-TV, the School’s professional NBC-affiliate TV station.
“This strong showing from Nathan and Hunter reflects well on their talent for community reporting and on the power of learning by doing with the Missouri Method,” said David Kurpius, dean of the School of Journalism. “Accomplishments like this continue to show why our students are in high demand in the industry.”
Lee won first place for two stories exploring how political issues of various scales affected Missouri communities. One covered the potential impact of a Missouri ballot measure on law enforcement pensions, while the other examined the divide between Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, as a microcosm of the national abortion debate.
These stories encapsulate Lee’s approach to reporting, which he said is all about humanizing politics by focusing on community impacts.
“It’s easy to forget when you’re staring at the grandiosity of government buildings and practices, but politics is about people,” Lee said. “In my reporting, I’ve always wanted to focus on telling the story of politics — the impacts on people’s lives from bills written by legislators.”
Lee’s win comes with a guaranteed place in the Hearst National Championship this summer, along with a $3,000 scholarship and a matching grant for the School of Journalism.
“Nathan’s abilities to tell these important stories in a way that viewers can easily understand are remarkable,” said Professor Elizabeth Frogge, managing editor at KOMU. “His dedication and execution of these stories are next-level, and I am thrilled Hearst recognized that with a first-place win.”
Walterman completed the double threat with a fifth place finish for stories on AI in agriculture, the Budweiser Clydesdales and a community picnic in rural Tebbetts, Missouri, each story showcasing a different slice of mid-Missouri life.
Walterman pointed to his education at the School of Journalism, which emphasizes a community-driven approach to news.
“This speaks to the quality of Mizzou’s journalism program, especially at KOMU,” Walterman said. “I am grateful for all of the opportunities this program has given me.”
The fifth place finish comes with a $1,000 scholarship and a matching grant for the School.
“Hunter is a skilled storyteller who excels in shooting video, writing and editing,” Frogge added. “His stories are all fun to watch, and he deserves this recognition from Hearst.”
The 14 Hearst competitions will continue until through March, and the program will culminate in the National Championship in June, when the top winners will go head-to-head. Continue to check in at journalism.missouri.edu for more Hearst news over the next few months.
Updated: January 8, 2025