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Furman undergrads win Student Production Awards from the Southeast Chapter of NATAS
Digital storytelling studio at Furman University.
Four projects led by Furman University undergraduates have received Student Production Awards from the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Daytime Emmy Awards. The Southeast Chapter covers Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina.
“The continued success of our students with nine nominations and four wins at NATAS shows the creativity and drive our students have,” said Mary Sturgill, media specialist and instructor, and chair of the journalism minor. “We’re proud of them and the stories they produce.”
“These awards continue to bring national attention to what we already know on campus – communication studies majors are producing stories that matter,” said John McArthur, professor and chair of communication studies. “With the strong mentorship from our faculty, Furman students develop the knowledge, skills and discernment that will launch them into meaningful lives of purpose as alumni.”
Furman’s digital storytelling studio is where all the magic happens. Students use the facility for classes in broadcasting and media production and to support student organizations that build storytelling capacity.
The Furman winning projects are:
Grant Robinson ’25 reports for “Helene: The Long Road Back.”
Sidney Lyn ’26 (communication studies major and visual strategy minor) and Clancy Carter ’26 (communication studies), producers
Lainey Harness ’25 (communication studies) and Dixon Massingill ’26 (communication studies), anchors
Other reporters include Katelyn Wong (a double major in communication studies and Asian studies, with a visual strategy minor); Katie McCawley ’26 (communication studies major and visual strategy minor); and Grant Robinson ’25 (communication studies)
Category: Magazine Program
Description: Students in Furman’s broadcasting class contribute to a video that goes in depth on how Hurricane Helene affected small businesses and artists, first responders, homes, transportation infrastructure and the impact on the residents themselves in the western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina region. In the 30-minute production, reporters cover the hurricane, which later fueled wildfires in the area, how it changed natural spaces, recovery efforts and the emotional toll of the historic storm. Reporters also reveal how the storm affected Furman’s campus, students, athletics and more.
“From the Starting Line” includes footage from Furman Women’s XC/Track & Field.
Sydney Lyn ’26 (communication studies major and visual strategy minor), producer
Andrew Brown ’27 (communication studies), photographer
Category: Sports Story
Description: The six-minute video produced in advanced multimedia storytelling looks at Furman Women’s Cross Country and the values the team embraces. It features comments from athletes and Head Coach Rita Gary who talk about ambition, confidence, sisterhood, NIL challenges, problem solving, drive and “crazy goals.”
A screen image from “Test Anxiety.”
Ellen Shipman ’27 (studio art major and visual strategy minor), producer
Category: Promotional Video
Description: The short video produced in digital storytelling gives viewers information about resources available to those who suffer from test anxiety at Furman.
A scene from “Be Present: The Room Was Full.”
“Be Present – The Room Was Full”
Hana Nguyen ’28 (communication studies major and a visual strategy minor), producer
Category: Public Service Announcement
Description: Nguyen’s short video produced in digital storytelling explores the amount of time people spend on devices and suggests that being present and making connections is a better way forward.