Each year, students across the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication (SJSC), housed within Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media, gather to celebrate the work they’ve spent months—sometimes years—bringing to life. Late-night newsroom deadlines, client pitches, and multimedia productions all lead to a single evening celebration: the Louie Awards, which were held in mid-April.
The Louie Awards (or more popularly named The Louies) are named after former (and first) journalism department chair Dr. Louis E. Ingelhart, a First Amendment advocate and champion of student-led journalism who retired from Ball State in 1983.
From a Ceremony to an Experience
A longstanding tradition, the awards ceremony has, in recent years, evolved into a more memorable and intentional experience for students. Matt Lowe, project manager in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication (SJSC), has reimagined the event, which recognizes SJSC student organizations and student media, helping shift it from a straightforward recognition program into something students genuinely look forward to attending.
“We are also trying to give the awards greater importance and weight,” Lowe said. “We want to create an alumni engagement pipeline—offering alums a low-stakes way to stay involved and encouraging previous Louie winners to return as judges after they graduate, closing the loop on Louie Award engagement. But fun is also an important component.”
And students have noticed the difference.
“The Louies have been completely transformed into a show that invites students to celebrate their work and enjoy themselves after a long school year,” said Trinity Rea, an Emerging Media Design and Development graduate student who helps plan the event.
Rea also earned a juried award for Excellence in Writing. These acknowledgments—evaluated by alumni—highlight the time and effort behind student work while connecting students to professionals in the field.
The ceremony mirrors the work it celebrates: creative, collaborative, and thoughtfully produced. There’s a red carpet, video elements, and moments of humor woven throughout. Faculty, including Dr. Johnny Sparks, director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, and Dean Kristen McCauliff, play along—often becoming part of the joke in ways that resonate with students.
Ava Monroe, a senior media design and development major, has also helped shape the look and feel of the Louies for several years.
“This is my fourth year as a student assistant in the SJSC office, and I have been grateful to help plan the annual Louie Awards all that time,” Monroe said. “I did a lot of behind-the-scenes work for the Louies. I was in charge of creating the branding for the event—designing a logo, promotional flyers, awards certificates, and a slideshow presentation.”
Seeing it all come together is what makes the work meaningful.
“Overall, it’s really cool to see all the planning and work pay off,” she said. “My favorite part is seeing all the students having a good time, because that’s our main goal—to honor our students for all their hard work and make sure they have a great time.”
More Than Just Fun
The awards also support a broader goal of connecting classroom experiences to career pathways while building lasting relationships with alumni. That connection is what draws alumni like Sarah Cox Dedrick, ’11, back to Ball State.
“I truly love coming back to campus,” said Cox Dedrick, founder and principal consultant of Compass Public Relations, a public relations firm she launched in early 2026. “I am always thankful for Ball State and how they prepared me. They grounded me, inspired me, and I appreciate all of the energy they poured into me to make sure I was successful.”
As a judge for the Excellence in Strategic Communication Award, she saw the impact of those experiences in the projects students submitted.
“The student work was so impressive,” she said. “It was so difficult to choose. I think all of these students are ready to go out and make their positive marks on the world.”
A Culture of Recognition
Just as meaningful as the work is the way students support one another.
“My favorite part of the whole event, though, was seeing in real time the appreciation they showed for each other,” Cox Dedrick said. “It speaks volumes about the students that in what should be their own ‘big night,’ they chose to thank their peers and give kudos back to their teams.”
The Louies highlight a wide range of contributions, from writing and design to multimedia storytelling and strategic communication campaigns. They also recognize the leadership behind the scenes—editors, producers, and team leaders who keep student organizations running.
Learning by Doing
The Louie Awards also showcase Ball State’s immersive approach to learning.
Students don’t just study media—they create it. Through organizations like the Agency at Cardinal Media, The Ball State Daily News, Ball Bearings magazine, and BYTE, they produce professional-level work while still in the classroom, building confidence and experience along the way.
The Louie Awards bring those efforts together in one place—and offer a rare pause at the end of a demanding academic year.
Whether students leave with an award or not, the night highlights what they’ve built together. It reinforces the sense of belonging that develops through shared deadlines, collaboration, and creative risk-taking.
And as alumni return, that community extends beyond campus.
“I love coming back to Ball State and staying engaged with the University and students,” Cox Dedrick said. “It’s so fun and fulfilling for me. I think it’s a valuable experience for everyone involved.”
