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Telling Today's Stories
If you’re a storyteller with a knack for digital creation, you’re going to love Ashland University’s Journalism and Digital Media Department. It houses the only fully integrated media program in the state of Ohio.
We are a nationally-recognized, converged media department that offers experiential learning in four collegiate award-winning co-curricular media operations.
In this department, you’ll immerse yourself in print, web, social media, radio and television content creation using the latest digital and software tools.
Here, you will:
- Learn from award-winning faculty who have impressive backgrounds in news, sports and entertainment media
- Get hands-on storytelling experiences from Ashland’s multi-award-winning student print and digital newspaper, radio station, video streaming channel and television station
- Gain invaluable professional experience from one of the department’s internship opportunities
The Journalism and Digital Media Department is designed to prepare you to become a successful reporter, writer, producer, digital content developer, videographer, storyteller, podcaster, program host and editor. Our graduates have a more than 90% placement in media professions within a year of graduation.
AU Media Outlets
The Collegian
Get involved in Ashland’s multi-award-winning student newspaper, The Collegian, written and edited entirely by students.
WRDL
Join WRDL, a radio station owned and operated by Ashland University, and the only radio station located within the city limits of Ashland.
AUTV
Get involved in the award-winning, student-run AUTV, Ashland’s only television station.
JDM Streaming
JDM Streaming is a live broadcasting service that hosts Ashland University sporting events, commencements and AUTV programs that are produced by the Journalism and Digital Media Department.
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Dean's Scholarship
The Dean's Scholarship is for new first-time and transfer students enrolled in Journalism and Digital Media.
Benefits include a merit-based, renewable scholarship of $1,500 "stacked" on top of other merit awards received. Recipients also participate in unique academic communities created around engagement with faculty and a focus on career coaching and preparation.
To qualify, applicants must have a minimum high school or transfer GPA of 3.5. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years with a GPA of 3.0.
Scholarship Sponsor: Derek Wood (dwood12@ashland.edu)
Application Criteria: After admissions to Ashland University, you will receive a link to access the scholarship application within the student portal. Complete the application, essay and interview.
Renewal Criteria: AU GPA of 3.00 or greater and maintain Journalism and Digital Media Major
Application Deadline: The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until all scholarships have been awarded. The deadline for priority consideration is March 1.
After you apply for admission to Ashland University and are admitted to the Journalism and Digital Media program, you can apply for the Dean's scholarship. You will receive a link to access the application within the student portal.
Awards and Accomplishments
2026:
- Best Audio Production (Top 6) from International Student Broadcasting Championship (ISBC)
- Best Sports Play-By-Play (Top 6) from Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) - Hockey - Cade Cracas
- Best Radio Drama (Top 5) (IBS)
WRDL Christmas Special - Joshua Spencer, Lauren Gulden - Best ID - Broadcast Station (Top 6) (IBS) - Joshua Spencer
- Golden Slipmat Award from College Radio Foundation (CRF)
2025:
- Four national finalist awards (IBS)
- Golden Slipmat Award (CRF)
2024:
- Three national finalist awards (IBS)
- Golden Slipmat Award (CRF)
2023:
- Golden Slipmat Award (CRF)
2022:
- Three national finalist awards (IBS)
- Golden Slipmat Award (CRF)
2021:
- Five national finalist awards (IBS)
- Golden Slipmat Award (CRF)
2026:
- Finalist Best College/University Television Station (top 6) from Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS)—5th year in a row.
- Finalist Best Use of Graphics (IBS)
2025 Election Show Open--Joe Monteith and Jack Yeaste - Central Great Lakes Student Production EMMY Award
Nomination for Newscast or Headline News - Lauren Gulden
2025:
- Finalist Best College/University Television Station (Top 6) from Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS)
AUTV
2024:
- Finalist Best College/University Television Station (IBS)
3rd Year in a row—top 5 finish - Finalist Best Newscast (IBS)
Good Afternoon Ashland - Ethan Jenkins, Gage Eldridge, Kyle Doershuk, Brynn Meisse, Katelyn Meeks, William Currier, Cade Cracas, Lauren Gulden, Ella Cummins - Finalist Best Sports Report (IBS)
Sports Break - Jordan Hiles, Eleanor Lohr, Cade Cracas, Sean Repuyan
2023:
- Finalist Best College/University Television Station (IBS)
2nd year in a row—top 5 finish
2022:
- Two national finalist awards, including Best College TV Station (IBS)
- First place in Best TV Sports Report (IBS)
2021:
- First place in Best TV Talk Show (IBS)
2026:
- First-place for Social Media Presence Overall Excellence from the Society of Collegiate Journalists (SCJ)
2023:
- Best Web Site from Ohio News Media Association (ONMA)
- Best Sports Coverage Staff (ONMA)
Cade Cracas, MacKenzie Pflum, Ben Voelker, Ellie Lohr, Ethan Jenkins - Best Headline Writing (ONMA)
Katelyn Meeks
2024:
- 1st Place Award for In-Depth Reporting (ONMA)
Katelyn Meeks, Kylie Van Dine, Madison Ferrell
2022:
- Best College Newspaper from American Scholastic Media Association (ASMA)