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, former managing editor of The Jackson Daily News, who actively pursued a second career as an artist and sculptor after retiring from journalism. MPA 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 Newspaper 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 2023 student media contest were announced Thursday, March 21, 2024. See a complete list of winners.
Click below to see a complete list of winners in prior contests.
» 2022 — Presented March 30, 2023
» 2021 — Presented March 24, 2022
» 2020 — Presented March 26, 2021
» 2019 — Presented Feb. 7, 2020
» 2018 — Presented March 28, 2019
» 2017 — Presented March 28, 2018
» 2016 – Presented March 30, 2017
» 2015 — Presented March 24, 2016
» 2014 — Presented March 26, 2015
» 2013 — Presented March 27, 2014