JMC/Network: Student Media at Abilene Christian University

Students record a news program for the JMC/network.

ACU's JMC students win big at TIPA conference After receiving numerous awards at the SPJ competition, JMC students came home from the TIPA conference with even more honor and recognition for their work on the Optimist Newspaper, placing in on-site and off-site competition categories. Learn more.

ACU's Optimist leads the way in student innovation as it is the first student-run newspaper to be available for Apple's iPad release. ACU is the first university to commit to developing for the iPad, leading the way in student development for digital publication. Students involved with the project met together for a two-day planning retreat to discuss, collaborate and develop their ideas. Learn more.

Students work together to produce The Optimist.

About the Project The JMC/network comprises print, broadcast and online products. Students work for the network both curricularly, through their courses, and co-curricularly. The creation of this unique and innovative learning environment puts JMC@ACU on the leading edge of 21st Century journalism education. Among other features of the renovated spaces are a faculty/student commons, an advertising and public relations agency, faculty offices and a 65-seat smart classroom outfitted for video podcasting.Learn more.

History of ACU Student Media ACU student media started in 1912 with the publication of the first issue of The Optimist newspaper. In 1916 the first Prickly Pear yearbook was published, and in 1950 radio station KACC went on the air. Throughout those 96 years student media have reported news, recorded history and educated journalists. Learn more.

Contact:
Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University, Box 27892
Don Morris Center, Room 301
Abilene, Texas 79699
Phone: 325-674-2296
Email: baconc@acu.edu

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.