An Excellence in Service Award was presented to WNMU-FM News Director Nicole Walton. She has had multiple news stories in print and audio formats shared and aired through the Michigan Public Radio Network. The network includes 10 stations serving over 900,000 people throughout the state. Because her work is featured statewide, it has been an important resource and promotional tool for NMU.
Recently, Walton was asked to report for National Public Radio (NPR), and the audio version of her story went national, with attribution to WNMU.
For many years, Walton has been the lead liaison with the Marquette Children's Museum, assisting them with the 8-18 Media program for young children. She mentors the young journalists as they tackle issues that affect them across the spectrum, but the reports are written and produced for an adult audience and aired on Public Radio 90.
Walton assists in training the students hired by WNMU-FM and ensures that any newscasts they deliver live are within the standards of NMU, WNMU-FM and NPR guidelines. Walton also works individually with multimedia journalism students to assist them in refining their writing and voice work for on-air presentations.
Walton has conducted many interviews with state and local officials. Her interviews with the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, mayors and more have been conducted with integrity and intelligence representing NMU. Recently, WNMU-FM was asked by the A&E Network if they could use one of Walton's news stories for a documentary they are producing called “Accused: Guilty or Innocent.”