JMC student Chad Cushing qualifies for Hearst Photojournalism National Championship

LAWRENCE – Chad Cushing has qualified for the 2025 Hearst Photojournalism National Championship, earning second place nationally for his most recent photo story.

Cushing, a senior at the KU School of Journalism & Mass Communications, placed second in the Photojournalism II Photo Story featuring Texas Christian University (TCU) basketball player Hailey Van Lith. He also placed fifth in the Photojournalism I News and Features category in fall 2024. 

“It means a lot to be able to represent Kansas,” Cushing said. “It's just such a great support system. Representing KU on the national scale is what I take the most pride in.”

Cushing is heavily involved with student media. He is multimedia editor for the University Daily Kansan, a member of The Playmakers TV show and a DJ for KJHK 90.7 FM.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, named for William Randolph Hearst, recognizes collegiate journalists in writing, photojournalism, audio, television and multimedia journalism. The national championship brings together the top-placing student journalists from universities nationwide and takes place in San Diego at the end of May.

“It's a huge validation of what we're doing at the School,” JMC Lecturer Eric Thomas said.

Thomas, who teaches visual journalism courses such as visual storytelling and photojournalism, served as a mentor to Cushing throughout the submission process. Thomas believes it was Cushing’s “yes and” attitude that led him to the national stage.

“Chad's a force of nature. You see a photo pop up, and you know it’s a Cushing photo,” Thomas said. “He would have done the stuff he’s done regardless of who was standing in his way or who was pushing him.”

The photo story follows Van Lith on her journey as a student-athlete from Louisiana State University through the transfer portal to TCU. Cushing fostered a strong relationship with her for over five years, eventually getting the chance to document her life as a college athlete. You can view more of Cushing’s photos on the JMC School Instagram.

“I was able to buy into this story that she was starting to build – a redemption comeback arc,” said Cushing. “Meeting each other before any of these teams or games, building the friendship and then gaining that trust to photograph all these spots along the way. Hailey definitely just stood out to me as somebody who has a good heart and has a story that I want to tell.”

Although the JMC School does not have a specific photojournalism concentration, Cushing said this award could lead to more recognition for other Kansas journalism students. 

“I’m eager to leave an impact,” Cushing said. “The same way I'm able to represent KU now as a student, I want to be able to come back 10 years from now and give the same things back to the school that Eric (Thomas) does.

“I want to be able to represent KU right now and then come back later on and do that same thing.”