Agricultural Communication Student Receives First Place at Critique Contest

By:Katherine Kuykendall
Hannah Brescher, a 2008 Agricultural Communication graduate, placed first with her research related writing entry at the 2008 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (NACT) Critique Contest. This marked the first time that Purdue had received a first placing.

“When I heard them announce my name, I knew my hard work had paid off,” said Brescher. “It was really exciting and encouraging to find out that industry professionals thought my work was good enough to receive a first.”

A number of Purdue Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) members participated in the 2008 critique contest, which offered divisions for various types of writing, design, photography, publications, electronic media and public relations. Student’s entries are critiqued by agricultural communication professionals from around the United States.

"I found the feedback to be crucial for my professional development," said Brescher.

Angela Hoffman, a senior in Agricultural Communication, received a second and fourth placing with her photo entries.

"I was pleased and surprised by the placing," said Hoffman. She added that she plans to enter the critique again and has found the comments helpful.

Also recognized at the NACT contest was a publication produced by agricultural communication students, Destination Purdue. The publication placed third in the newspaper division. Kevin Smith, editor and course instructor for YDAE 460, Agricultural Publishing, was excited about the placing.

"It's great that the student staff is getting recognized for all the work that they do," said Smith. "They are asked to do a lot and they always rise to the occasion."

YDAE 460 allows students in the class to work together to develop Destination Purdue, a newspaper that is delivered to prospective Purdue College of Agriculture students that are in high school. Students are responsible for the layout and content in the publication.

Purdue ACT members have the opportunity to enter the critique every year. For more information, contact Agricultural Communication academic advisor and ACT advisor Natalie Federer at nfederer@purdue.edu or check out the Purdue ACT chapter at http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/ACT/ or the National ACT organization at http://www.gonact.org/