TheSouthern University Office of Student Media Services and the SouthernUniversity Publications Board has unanimously named Nikki G. Bannister, asenior mass communication major from Moreauville, as editor in chief of TheSouthern DIGEST student newspaper for the 2005-2006 academic year.
“It’s sucha honor to represent such a fine collegiate publication,” she said. “I onlyhope I can continue to serve respectfully, as the previous editors have andepitomize what being a journalist should stand for.”
Bannisterbegan her tenure as a DIGEST staff member in the fall 2001 semester as a stateand nation writer. As her capabilities in writing grew, her responsibilitiesgrew and she went on to serve as state and nation editor, sports editor, copyeditor and managing editor.
“And yes,I’ve been named as editor in chief, but the awards and honors should go to theDIGEST staff. They’ve done such a wonderful job in the past semesters.”
Bannister has won numerous local, regional and nationalawards, including back-to-back top honors at the 2004 and 2005 HBCU NewspaperConferences for sports coverage.
Hercollegiate career has been complimented by professional training with topjournalism organizations such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times,American Society of Newspaper Editors, National Association of BlackJournalists and College Media Advisors.
Beforeattending Southern University, the 31-year old served nearly seven years in theU.S. Navy before entering the broadcast journalism business at Clear ChannelCommunications in Norfolk, Va.
She saidher “life experience,” coupled with “college experience,” made connecting withboth students and faculty members easy.
“My lifeexperiences started early, because my parents are products of the rural south,prior to the civil rights era. I had to learn the values of hard work early. Ialso learned that never leaving your zip code could make you intellectuallystagnant, so my family traveled extensively. It was the lessons I learned whilewith my family — on the road and in the air — that really gave me a sense ofpurpose in life. I try to utilize those lessons in everything I do, includingwhile working with The DIGEST.”
She alsosaid that her experience on the Bluff has not gone without gratitude.
“I’ve beenfortunate to know and communicate with many administrators and students,alike,” she said. “It’s good to know the learning doesn’t stop once you leaveclass and a lot of this is possible because of my involvement with The DIGEST.There are the administrators, faculty and staff who actually treat you asfamily and guide you.
“Then,there are the students who are there to assist you in matters that you wouldnever think you could relate to. I am truly grateful to everyone who’ve helpedme along the way.”
In additionto her role as editor in chief of The DIGEST, Bannister is a contributingsports writer for numerous print and online publications throughout the stateand nation, including Black College Wire, the New Orleans Times-Picayune andthe Baton Rouge Advocate.
The Digest,at Southern University, is the only twice weekly (Tuesday & Friday) studentpublication in Louisiana.
