Student media leaders score honors
A love of sports, passion for journalism and drive for success are just some of the similarities between two Kirkwood Student Media leaders.
Chad Cooper, news producer for Kirkwood Student Productions (KSP), and Natalie Niemeyer, editor-in-chief for the Communiqué, have both been selected as Kirkwood Community College outstanding students.
In addition to being chosen for the prestigious award, Cooper and Niemeyer have shared many other experiences throughout the spring semester. The two could often be seen working together at Kirkwood basketball events. Cooper offered his talent with play-by-play and Niemeyer was a statistician and sideline reporter.
When asked how she defined outstanding, Niemeyer, Liberal Arts major, said, “Someone who is willing to stand for what they believe in, even if they are standing alone. That is my definition of outstanding.” Niemeyer, a Jefferson High School graduate, will complete her two-year term at Kirkwood in May.
“If I could change anything about Kirkwood, I would make it a four-year school. I love it here. Kirkwood has been the perfect place for me,” said Niemeyer.
While in high school, Niemeyer was actively involved in softball and served as editor-in-chief of her high school yearbook. At Kirkwood, she has stayed just as active. Niemeyer has been heavily involved in activities such as the student newspaper Communiqué, KSP and a fulltime internship with the school’s marketing department.
When asked about her greatest accomplishments, Niemeyer responded, “My success as a softball player in high school and being editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook and the Communiqué.”
Niemeyer views her parents and sisters as her role models. “My parents have instilled so many values in me. My sisters are outstanding sisters, wives, daughters and mothers. I really look up to them because they have been so successful,” she said.
Niemeyer plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall for Education and hopes to someday get a job with the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
When asked about her individual goals, Niemeyer responded, “I just want to continue being happy. I also want to make a difference in someone’s life like others have made a difference in mine.”
The second of the two, Kirkwood Community College sophomore Chad Cooper describes his definition of outstanding as, “Maintaining academic success while applying skills in an extra curricular setting. I would say that’s outstanding.”
Cooper, a Washington High School graduate, is currently a Communications Media/Public Relations major at Kirkwood. “I chose Kirkwood because I thought the Communications program offered the chance to do actual hands on work pertaining to the broadcast industry would help,” said Cooper.
Cooper has been involved with Kirkwood Student Productions from talking about the overview of the basketball game during the broadcast to announcing on air.
“My biggest accomplishment would be having the privilege to anchor KSP News and do play-by-play for basketball games as well as achieving academic success,” said Cooper.
Cooper said his parents have had a large influence on his success. “My parents have truly shaped who I am as a person and provided complete support and motivation,” he said. Cooper plans on attending the University of Iowa in the fall and eventually hopes to pursue a career as a news reporter/anchor and sports commentator. He said he hopes to work in a large market like Chicago or a national market such as ABC or CBS.
Cooper said he appreciates the support and help of two specific advisers, Gale Smetana and Rose Kodet. “I came into Kirkwood with high expectations and yet I still underestimated the impact it would have on me. I’ll miss Kirkwood and will have fond memories,” he said.