Storytelling Excellence: MSU faculty members rake in national awards

Contact: Sarah Nicholas

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s Department of Communication, Media and Theatre is making waves nationally with Assistant Professors Rex Jones and Marty Lang earning two of the four Best of Show awards in the Broadcast Education Association’s 2025 Creative Media Competition.

Jones won top honors in the documentary competition for “The Color of Conservation,” while Lang was recognized in the film and video competition for “Stay With Me.” These awards are presented to faculty who display excellence in creative storytelling and production on a national stage.

“Rex Jones and Marty Lang’s creative excellence represents excellence in teaching. They bring professional experience in screenwriting, documentary and film production and will help open doors for students interested in these areas,” said Terry Likes, professor and department head. “The fact that they are national winners lends great credibility with students and faculty alike.”

Best of Show winners have the opportunity to participate in a competition panel at the 2025 BEA conference in Denver, Colorado, where they will share insights about their work and the creative process with fellow educators and media professionals later this semester.

For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.comm.msstate.edu.

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