Newspaper receives $1,000 grant from OPUBCO for color printing
By Morgan Hill, News Writing Student
Color photos on the front page have been a weekly feature of the Pioneer student newspaper this semester, thanks in part to a $1,000 grant from OPUBCO, the publisher of The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.
Joe Hight, OPUBCO director of information and development, said he initiated the grant because his company appreciates the work done by the college’s journalism students.
“It was the appropriate place to give it to,” Hight said. “OCCC has its journalism students support The Oklahoman and we felt that we should support them.”
Ronna Austin, Pioneer lab assistant, said the funding for color printing was appreciated.
“It is awesome that the biggest local newspaper showed they care about our news on campus,” Austin said.
She said this is the second year in a row the Pioneer has received a grant from OPUBCO.
Hight said color printing is important to newspapers.
Studies have shown that printing in color is more effective than printing in black and white, he said.
Austin agreed with Hight that printing the newspaper in color makes a difference.
Color printing costs an additional $150 per week, said Cynthia Praefke, Pioneer advertising manager. She said the college budget doesn’t include funds for printing the Pioneer in color.
Most of the cost is usually paid by advertisers who want their advertisements printed in color, Praefke said. But, she said, on weeks when no color ads are purchased, the grant money pays the extra charge.
Austin said she was surprised the grant was given because the Pioneer didn’t ask for the money. But, she said, the entire staff was grateful.
“People are very visual,” she said. “The pictures are the most readable element and they draw people to the newspaper.”
Some students agreed with Austin.
Shaniqua Holland, nursing major, said she prefers the color photos.
“I like that the Pioneer is printed in color,” Holland said. “It is more attractive to my eye and the color pictures make it more interesting.”
Elyse Johnson, business management major, said the bold pictures and headings attract his eye.
“It looks like the Pioneer is printed with more bright colors,” he said.
