Ouachitonian yearbook honored for excellence

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March 08, 2023 - Addie Woods

Anna Roussel

Ouachita Baptist University’s student yearbook the Ouachitonian received a 2022 National Yearbook Program of Excellence award from Jostens Company.

Based in Minneapolis, Minn., Jostens produces college yearbooks nationwide, including the Ouachitonian. The company’s National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body. Gold-, silver- or bronze-level distinction is awarded to publications based on criteria achieved in one to three of the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.

Awards are presented in spring and fall of each year. Winners of the Fall 2022 excellence awards were named in September. Of 15,000 eligible schools, fewer than 6,800 – including Ouachita – were recognized with an award for excellence.

Gracen Zucha

The Ouachitonian has been under the direction of Dr. Deborah Root, professor and chair of the Rogers Department of Communications and director of assessment and institutional research at Ouachita, for 31 years.

“This award is an overview of the Ouachitonian, the tradition we have of winning awards and the excellence we have in our yearbook program,'' said Root. “It’s been a privilege to work with the program and wonderful students who make it their focus and goal to maintain a level of excellence.”

The co-editors for the 2022 Ouachitonian were Gracen Goudy Zucha, a 2022 communications & media/communications studies graduate from Benton, Ark., and Anna Roussel, a 2022 communications & media/strategic communications and political science graduate from Searcy, Ark.

Dr. Deborah Root

“There is an incredible support system in the newsroom that has in turn made me a better communicator,” said Roussel. “I will always be thankful for how the Ouachitonian trusts students to use their creative voices to showcase our school.”

Zucha added, “I quickly learned the Ouachitonian staff is equipped to produce excellence because of the standard that has been set and the professors who guide us along the way.”

To learn more about the Ouachitonian, contact Dr. Deborah Root at rootd@obu.edu or at (870) 245-5510.