The Standard’s 2007 “Back to Campus” issue was named the top back-to-school/orientation issue in a national contest conducted by College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers Inc. The Standard’s entry was named Best of Category, placing it above all entries in both divisions — one for papers that circulate fewer than 40,000 copies per week and one for those with more than 40,000. The Standard’s weekly circulation is 14,000.

“Back to Campus” is a 108-page guide to everything a new or returning student needs to know about Springfield and Missouri State University. It is inserted into The Standard’s first issue of the fall semester and is mailed directly to all new MSU students.

The award was presented at the annual CNBAM convention on March 29 in San Antonio. The contest judge wrote, “Excellent job! Impressive 108-page book was colorful and informative. Very well organized. Excellent job with ad sales. Your back-to-school issue set a high standard in this contest!”

“Back to Campus” was produced in the summer of 2007. Advertising Manager Stephanie Jenkins directed ad sales. The sales team was Drew Brucker, Carrie Chaffin, Samantha Gregory, Chris Triplett and Matana Wellman. Laura Willming was the ad designer. Editor in Chief Stephen Herzog directed the editorial content. The editorial staff was Stephen Bubalo, Jeff Faust, Jennifer Hollis, Sarah Khan, Bazil Manietta, Anna McCollum, Kandice McKee, Kai Raymer, Jess Rollins, Carly Wilburn and Whitney Wilkins.

The Standard’s 2006 “Back to Campus” issue won third place in the under-40,000 division.