Journalism and Media Communications’ student Joshua Browning received the Outstanding Student Award for fall 2011.  JCCC President Dr. Terry Calaway presented Browning with the award at special luncheon Dec. 9.

“I was honored when asked to share my story with you for this distinction, yet troubled because it is my nature to avoid sharing my trials, my commitments and my dreams,” Browning said. “That is perhaps why I most aspire to be a driving force in long-form video journalism and documentary filmmaking. I prefer my storytelling to be that of others.”

However, the three people who nominated Browning each had a laudatory story to tell about him.

“I have not had a more talented, driven or responsible student,” said Molly Baumgardner, journalism and media communications coordinator and adviser for JCAV and ECAV radio.  Browning is station manager for ECAV and is one of four video producers for JCAV.

“All of Joshua’s efforts to cover or promote the students, faculty and programs at JCCC have been achieved with very nominal financial compensation,” she said. “This has been his loss, but our gain.”

“Josh was part of a team that helped create two videos for the 2011 JCCC United Way campaign,” said Randy Winchester, program director, Corporate Outreach and Strategic Partnerships. “His creative and editorial expertise was vital to the process. Without Joshua’s leadership, determination in developing these videos our United Way campaign would not be near so successful.”

“In the summer of 2011, Joshua came to our rescue,” said Jennifer Winchester, business solutions director, Center for Business and Technology. “He was recruited to participate in the video documentation of our Computer Basic Skills Technicians Camp…. What he captured on film was amazing and insightful. He and his student partner, Amy Follmer, not only allowed us to see the camp, the video allowed us to experience the class.”

Browning earned a degree in the Netherlands and spent time as an audio engineer and music producer.

“I had the opportunity to see the world,” he said. “I became trilingual. I helped create new sounds. But Napster, iTunes and a dwindling demand for CDs led me to starving artist status and the search for a new career direction.”

That search led him to JCCC.

“JCCC has given me new focus,” he said. “From my first semester here, I’ve been greeted with open arms. Professors have tested my preexisting skills and knowledge, and then guided me to higher levels.”

Browning will graduate in spring 2012 and intends to transfer to KU or UMKC in the fall with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in film, video and journalism.