(Missouri) An Atlantic, Iowa native is being recognized among the top student journalists in Missouri.
Dakota Oswalt, a senior multimedia journalism major at Northwest Missouri State University, was named Journalist of the Year at the Missouri College Media Association awards ceremony April 11 in Springfield, Missouri. Oswalt, who is from Atlantic, will serve as editor-in-chief of the Northwest Missourian during the 2026–27 academic year.
“Winning Journalist of the Year is one of my biggest accomplishments,” Oswalt said. “I was excited to apply, but I didn’t necessarily expect to win. I was in shock when I found out — I still am in shock. It’s heartwarming to see that all of the hard work I put into the Missourian was recognized by others.”
Oswalt was part of a strong showing by Northwest Missouri State University Student Media at the event. The Missourian earned Best Newspaper in its division, while the overall student media program brought home a total of 50 awards.
In addition to the newspaper’s success, Tower yearbook received nine awards, KNWT-TV earned seven honors, and KZLX student radio captured five. The Missourian staff alone collected 27 awards.
Hannah Claywell served as editor-in-chief of the Missourian for the 2025–26 academic year and was the student president of the Missouri College Media Association.
