NATCHITOCHES – Four Northwestern State University students have been selected as student media leaders for 2018-19. Named were Jacob Bennett of Anacoco, editor in chief of The Current Sauce, NSU’s weekly student newspaper; Ka’ihe Fisher of Tulsa, Oklahoma, general manager of KNWD, NSU’s student radio station; Megan Palmer of Robeline, editor of Potpourri, the university yearbook and Katie Rayburn of Natchitoches, editor in chief of Argus, the university’s annual literary magazine. The new leaders were selected by the Student Media Board.
Bennett is a communication major with a concentration in strategic communication. He has been a contributing reporter to The Current Sauce since 2017.
“Over the upcoming year, I’m looking to expand our news coverage, particularly our sports coverage, and essentially revamp the paper and make it accessible to as many students as possible,” said Bennett.
The Current Sauce is NSU’s independent, student-operated newspaper that covers campus and community activities as well as relevant social issues of interest to students. The Current Sauce is published weekly during the regular semester with special issues during the summer. To view news reported by the Current Sauce, visit currentsauce.com.
Fisher is a senior theatre major with a concentration in technical design. He has worked on several Northwestern Theatre productions as a wardrobe head, designer and dresser. Fisher was KNWD’s program director in 2017-18.
As general manager, he wants to dedicate more time to news segments and other original content.
“I want to have KNWD not only reach out through the air waves but also through service by collaborating with organizations who already help serve the community and letting everyone know that we appreciate their thoughts and would love to know what they want to hear as well,” said Fisher. “I also personally want to expand the knowledge of the various different regions of music that people are listening to by having music playing gathered from all different parts of the world and playing it on air at least once a week.”
KNWD the Demon 91.7 FM is a student-run, non-commercial radio station that transmits a digital stereo FM signal 24 hours a day to the campus and surrounding area. KNWD provides students with opportunities to acquire radio management skills through studio work, remote broadcasts and with DemonFest, the station’s annual music and arts festival. For more information, visit the station’s website at nsulastudentmedia.com.
Palmer is a junior hospitality management and tourism major. She has been on the Potpourri staff for the past two years as a writer and assistant designer. Palmer hopes to include a variety of students in next year’s edition along with lesser-known organizations.
“I want everyone to feel as though they contributed in some way to making the yearbook come to life,” said Palmer. “Yearbooks are a historical documentation of the school it represents. In doing this next edition of the Potpourri, I want to ensure that the students and faculty are well represented. So when future generations look back they will see the rich history of Northwestern State University.”
The Potpourri is an independent publication that is planned, designed and produced by students. Coverage runs from March to March of each year, allowing the staff to feature many campus events. Searchable digital archives of all Potpourri editions can be accessed through traditions.nsula.edu.
Rayburn is a senior English major with a concentration in professional writing. She was the editor of Argus in 2017-18 and also served as junior editor and copy editor.
Her overall goal is to collect more pieces from a wider range of students in the upcoming year.
“My experience as editor-in-chief allowed me opportunities to reflect and improve on what went well and what could have been better,” said Rayburn. “Reaching out directly to clubs and people really makes a difference. On the other hand, we now understand just how taxing some of the work can be and how long is necessary for certain aspects of editing. I look forward to even better edition this year will all the knowledge I’ve gained so far.”
Argus is Northwestern State’s award-winning art and literary magazine that showcases the best of student art, poetry and creative writing. Editions are released every spring. Searchable, digital archives of each edition can be accessed through traditions.nsula.edu.
Northwestern State’s student media is directed by the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts. For more information on the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts visit nsula.edu/newmedia.
