Each spring since 1999, the Mississippi Press Foundation hosts a one-day workshop for Mississippi college and university students majoring in journalism or communications. The O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit brings before these students noted Mississippi journalists, educators and artisans during a special program at a venue in or near the state capital.
The conference is named after the late O.C. McDavid, longtime managing editor of The Jackson Daily News, who actively pursued a second career as an artist and sculptor after retiring from journalism. MPF is proud to focus a portion of these sessions on coverage of community lifestyles and the arts.
The event includes a luncheon and the presentation of the annual Better News Media Contest Student Division awards at the conclusion of the day's activities. Attendees receive a copy of "My Name is O.C.," McDavid's autobiography.
The conference was established after a generous donation to the Foundation from McDavid's family in his memory.
Better NewsMedia Contest Student Division
The Mississippi Press Foundation also hosts a student contest for which winners are presented each spring during the O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit.
Winners in the 2024 student media contest were announced Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Click below to see a complete list of winners in prior contests.
2024 Presented March 20, 2025
2023 Presented March 22, 2024
2022 Presented March 30, 2023
2021 Presented March 24, 2022
