Student Honored by Journalism Award and Fellowship

From the Associated Church Press and New York University

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Nicholas Gunn, digital communication and public relations student, was recently awarded the Best Emerging Journalist Award at the 2025 Associated Church Press Awards Presentation. The ceremony, which took place on May 5, 2025, honored the best work of communicators in the Christian community throughout the previous year.

“Many different media organizations came together from different denominations and from different places around the country,” Nicholas reflects. “This award is meaningful to me because I’ve been able to work a lot in journalism since I was 16, and now to be highlighted for some of my work is a blessing.”

Nicholas grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with the habit of watching the news and picking up newspapers and magazines. “I really didn’t think of myself as a good writer growing up,” he admits. His perspective began to change when, during his sophomore year, his high school went online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While at home, Nicholas decided to create a YouTube channel titled “Nick Eats,” highlighting local businesses in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

“After I had been making videos for some time, the city manager of Benton Harbor at the time told me that I should think about becoming a writer,” Nicholas shares. Inspired, he arranged a meeting with the publisher of the Benton-Michiana Spirit Community Newspaper and began writing a column titled “Nick’s Community Beat.” After just two years on the job, he became a junior editor for the paper.

“What I like most about journalism is that I’m able to make new friends and connect with new people just about every day,” he says. “My stand-out moments are when I’m able to highlight a person or an organization that is working to make our world a better place.”

In 2022, Nicholas was named to Moody on the Market’s 40 under 40 for his contributions to the Michiana area. At 18, he was the youngest recipient to receive the honor at that time. The same year, he was named the Blossomtime Festival’s Mr. Benton Harbor.

His community involvement didn’t stop there. Nicholas began serving as a firefighter for the St. Joseph Charter Township Station No. 2 and was appointed by Michigan’s secretary of state to serve as a member of the Collegiate Advisory Task Force for the state of Michigan. He also joined the boards of several community organizations, including the Benton Harbor Arts Association, Corewell Health South’s Community Advocate Committee, Fresh Start Children’s Garden, Benton Harbor Girls Academy, and Nextgen Young Black Professionals of West Michigan.

Nicholas also began studying at Andrews University in 2022. He quickly became involved in the University community, serving as a Bible study teacher at Pioneer Memorial Church, radio host at WAUS 90.7, writer for the Office of University Communication, and member of the Community Engagement Committee and Unified Civic Monuments Curriculum Council. For his leadership and dedication to community service, he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship his freshman year.

“I’ve had a great time here at Andrews University. It has greatly shaped my experience in news and journalism,” he says. “I’ve been able to learn so much about how to become a communicator. Being a student here has opened so many doors of opportunity for me.”

Beyond building his technical skills, Nicholas has also felt his faith flourish at Andrews. “It has helped me grow more as a man of God,” he shares. “I’m truly blessed and grateful for all of my many opportunities. I’m often reminded of James 4:10, where it says, ‘Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.’ My journey has definitely been a testament to that truth.”

While pursuing his education, Nicholas has continued to work in and give back to his community. In addition to regular journalistic contributions to local publications Moody on the Market and the Lake Union Herald, he is the communications coordinator for the City of Benton Harbor, the Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation, Present Pillars, and other local businesses and nonprofits. In 2023, he received the Spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Award from Lake Michigan College for exemplifying unity and leadership in his community, and in 2024, he was given the Student of the Year Award from the Society of Adventist Communicators for his outstanding leadership and excellence in journalism.

Most recently, Nicholas applied for the Ed Bradley Journalism Fellowship at New York University. The fellowship, which seeks to address the underrepresentation of African-American males in newsrooms, brings together a cohort of Black college journalists to receive hands-on training in reporting, news writing and multimedia journalism. Attendees will have the opportunity to build industry contacts and learn from New York’s most prestigious newsrooms, including the New York Times, CNN and CBS News,

“Seeing that students were accepted from big-name schools and seeing that big-name news outlets would be involved, I thought there was no chance I would get in,” Nicholas says. Despite this, he knew that he would regret it if he didn’t try, noting, “Even though I may be from a smaller town and smaller university, I decided to take the leap of faith.” In April, he received the news that he was accepted to the 2025 cohort.

“I feel that this fellowship will teach me a lot and open a lot of opportunities for me,” Nicholas reflects. “I’m looking forward to meeting the other young men who will be joining me on this journey. We’re all near the same age and from different universities from around the country, and I’m excited about the future of journalism!”

As Nicholas keeps developing his skills through school, work and other professional opportunities, he plans to continue investing in and uplifting others. “My hope for the future is to finish my degree and hopefully continue my education,” he says. “Professionally I would hope to work in a field where I can highlight others and glorify the work of God, which I’m truly passionate about.”

For other young people looking to make an impact on their communities, he advises, “find ways that you can shine a light on the positive.”