Meyer and his weekly newspaper win 29 awards from Kansas Press Association

Eric Meyer, associate professor of journalism, received the first-ever graphic designer of the year award from the Kansas Press Association, in addition to winning 19 other awards. His weekly newspaper, Marion County Record in Marion, Kansas, won 29 awards total, competing against both daily and weekly newspapers in the third largest of seven circulation categories. Meyer is editor, publisher, and co-owner of the paper.

The Marion County Record swept first, second, and third for investigative reporting—two of those for stories Meyer directed and the third for a story he reported. The paper also won first for overall news and writing excellence, for best spot news coverage, and for best front page.

Meyer took both first and second for best editorial special sections. Other second-place awards were given for government/political coverage, column writing, headline writing, feature photography, photo packages, sports pages, layout and design excellence, and, across all divisions, photo illustration for a year-end montage Meyer created. Third-place awards included honors for editorial writing, agricultural coverage, education coverage, and a story/photo combination.

Meyer also did some advertising design during the pandemic, winning first place across four circulation divisions for best health care and best agricultural ads; second place across those divisions for best professional services and best political ads as well as two promotional ads; and third place across the four divisions for best health care ad (again) and best online motion advertising.