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Collins named SCJ adviser of the year

Martha Collins, adviser to the NCSU chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, was named the SCJ Sheridan C. Barker Adviser of the Year at the association’s national convention held at NCSU March 5-7.

Martha Collins, adviser to the NCSU chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, was named the SCJ Sheridan C. Barker Adviser of the Year at the association’s national convention held at NCSU March 5-7.

Bill Ruehlmann, executive director and professor of Journalism & Communications at Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach, and Sheridan Barker, past president and associate professor of communication at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., presented the award which recognizes the commitment and contribution the adviser makes to an SCJ Chapter. The description of the award reads, “Good chapters rise and fall on the enthusiasm of a motivated student member. Excellent SCJ chapters thrive and endure because of the commitment of the SCJ adviser.”

Collins served as the organizer for the association’s national convention, planning everything from speakers to meals for attendees.

SCJ President Susannah Brinkley, a junior in graphic design and incoming editor of the Agromeck yearbook, said, “In planning the biennial SCJ convention, Martha planned just about everything. From dinners to sessions to tours, Martha did it all. Even when she was frustrated, she always found a way to do her work with a smile on her face.”

May Chung, SCJ vice president and junior in English, said, “The Biennial Convention would have been nothing under her guidance. Martha was the one who contacted professors and speakers, arranged food and supplies for the event, and organized the whole shindig.”

And in the SCJ newsletter, SCJ officials said it was this commitment for which Collins was being recognized.

“Once again, the gifted leadership of Martha Collins made things run smoothly on campus at Raleigh,” read information in the group’s newsletter.

SCJ student members said Collins was being recognized for more than just her skill in planning the convention, helping students to plan panel discussions on open government and Sunshine Week activities.

Brinkley said, “That’s what makes a good adviser — someone who listens, who does their job, who goes above and beyond the call of duty and who always has a smile on their face.”

Chung said, “Martha is a sweet individual and always encouraging of the Society. Over the past year alone, SCJ has doubled in size and have covered representation from all fields of Student Media.”

Brinkley said, “Martha always had her door open to her students, ready to help us talk out whatever problems we had.”

Chung said, “In short, without Martha, there is no SCJ.”