April 4, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts honored the late Jerry Byrd Sr., Lane Luckie and Val Marmillion as 2025 Distinguished Communications Professionals during a lunch and awards program Friday.
Distinguished Communications Professionals are graduates with successful careers in and/or significant contributions to the fields of journalism, photojournalism, communications, news editorial, public relations, political strategy, media production, web content production and emerging media, as well as individuals who have made significant contributions to the Department.
In Friday’s program, NSU asked each honoree to select one word to describe their career and/or their professional philosophy.
Byrd devoted more than 50 years to journalism, earning numerous accolades during his long and prolific career. His family selected the word “legendary.” Jerry Byrd Jr. accepted the award on behalf of his family
“Our father was a legendary award-winning sportswriter, but he was so much more than that. He was a legendary husband, father, and grandfather. In everything he did—whether it was coaching the City of Shreveport swim team, taking a carload of youngsters to a summer track meet in Chicago, Illinois, taking his children to choir practice at First Baptist on Sunday afternoons, teaching a Sunday School class, or writing about a one-legged high jumper from Shreveport’s Linwood Middle School, who would meet the President of the United States as a result of an article our father wrote—Jerry Byrd Sr. was legendary man who put extraordinary effort into everything he did.”
Luckie, a Tyler, Texas news anchor and reporter, has twice won a Regional Emmy from the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has reported news and events at the local and regional level and has traveled abroad to report on international events. He selected the word “lucky.”
“Growing up with the last name Luckie, I’m constantly asked, ‘Are you actually lucky?’ So, I’ve spent a considerable portion of my life pondering that question, often adjusting my perspective to recognize how truly fortunate and blessed I am,” he said. “The opportunity to participate in consequential journalism, share inspiring stories, pursue creative projects, travel the world, and forge meaningful friendships has made for an extraordinary career so far. This ‘luck’ has also kept me mindful of the individuals who have encouraged and guided me over the years — instilling in me a personal connection to the importance of serving others.”
Marmillion is former managing director of America’s WETLAND Foundation, former president and CEO of Marmillion and Company and adjunct instructor at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. A top campaign strategist for political and cause-related campaigns, he has coordinated a variety of award-wining national campaigns for clients doing important work for the environment, public health, government, education, society and the arts. Marmillion selected the word “yes” to define his career.
“I have found that saying yes more often leads to positive outcomes. It alters the mood of a meeting and the onslaught of so many Devil’s Advocates, who practice throwing a wrench into creativity,” he said.
Alumni previously honored as Distinguished Communications Professionals participated in the program. Pulitzer Prize winner and NSU journalism instructor Jim Mustian emceed the lunch with assistance from Doug Ireland, NSU’s long-time Sports Information Director who continues to serve the university as an advisor to NSU President James Genovese. Robert Gentry paid tribute to his friend and NSU advocate, the late Jerry Pierce, who served over 57 years on staff at Northwestern and was vice president of External Affairs at the time of his death in 2022. All are 2023 honorees.
The awards lunch was also a forum to share news about New Media students’ recent accomplishments, awards earned from the College Media Association and special editions of student publications.
“The Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts is preparing students for jobs that require skills in communication with an emphasis on experiential learning inside and outside of the classroom,” said Dr. Jessica Zhang, department head. “Our graduates pursue careers as reporters, news anchors, multimedia journalists, digital media editors, production experts, content creators, marketing specialists, graphic designers, photographers and more.”
Information on Northwestern State’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts is available at https://www.nsula.edu/newmedia/.
