Students from Missouri State University’s communication, media, journalism and film department (CMJF) recently won a 2024 Student Emmy award for an episode of their documentary, “Discovering Dickerson Park Zoo.” 

The award is from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) – Mid-America. 

The documentary is a nine-episode web series filmed and edited by students taught by Jon Mabee, associate professor of film and television at MSU. 

Mabee co-directed the documentary, along with Autumn Girgin, a recent graduate of the MFA in Dramatic Writing program. Mabee was also one of the producers.  

Episode 3, “Medicine of Dickerson Park Zoo,” not only won the Student Emmy for Best College Non-Fiction Long Form, but it also won second place from the Missouri Broadcast Education Association in the Video Documentary category. 

Another episode, “Education of Dickerson Park Zoo,” was nominated for a Student Emmy for Best College Non-Fiction Short Form. 

“The NATAS – Mid America Emmy competition is one of the most prestigious of the awards festivals that we compete in, since it’s judged by professionals in the industry,” said CMJF Department Head Dr. Deborah Larson. “With two wins and one nomination this year, our students showed how we can compete at this level.” 

“This also speaks volumes about our faculty who mentor them and the production and journalism programs we offer to our students,” Larson added. 

Giving back 

The zoo documentary project came about when Mabee, who has worked with the Dickerson Park Zoo on other projects, agreed to help the zoo create content to celebrate its 100th birthday. 

Mabee saw the project as a way to support the zoo and give back to the Springfield community. 

“My 8-year-old daughter also wants to be a zookeeper when she grows up and my family has always been huge fans of our local zoo here in Springfield,” Mabee said. 

“And while I can’t write a huge check to them every year to help support their continued missions of community engagement and conservation, I can create the opportunity for them and our students to mutually benefit from a production like this,” he added. 

Gaining hands-on experience 

During the project, Mabee supervised roughly two dozen students, some of whom were enrolled in his Client-Based Video Production (MED 385) and Editing for Film and TV (MED 466) courses. 

“This was an opportunity for students to be involved in ‘real-world applications’ that reflect content taught in CMJF courses,” Mabee said. 

Junior digital media/television production major Gabriel Jacob worked as one of the videographers for the winning episode. 

“Jon Mabee is my advisor and someone I respect and trust very much,” Jacob said. “So, when he told me about this opportunity, I was quickly on board. I loved the idea of getting real-world experience working with clients and being behind the camera.” 

Senior digital film and television production majors Jacob Lenhardt and Trevor Huck co-edited the winning episode. While Lenhardt’s primary job was to review the raw footage, organize it and turn it into a story, Huck spent his time navigating both pre- and post-production duties.  

“I thought this opportunity was a perfect way for me to hone my editorial skills both narratively and technically,” Lenhardt said.  

Huck added, “The opportunity was an easy yes on my part, as I want to eventually work in the professional field of film or television production.” 

Looking ahead 

Mabee is already focused on the next project for his production students. 

“This May, we’ll be working with MSU’s Paws to the Polls and the Greene County Elections office to create video content about voting and the voting process in Springfield and other cities in Greene County,” he said. 

Lenhardt and Huck are proud they told a good story. Both want to continue doing so. 

“Having an Emmy to my name feels great and all, but I can’t help but focus on my next steps,” Huck said. “There’s little time for celebration when you want to produce more!”