Mary Freda
Get in Touch: www.maryfreda.com | m.freda180@gmail.com | t: @Mary_Freda1
Professional Experience
The Times of Northwest Indiana | Munster, Indiana
South Lake County Reporter
October 2019-present
• Report on the South Lake County communities in Northwest Indiana, including Crown Point, St. John and Winfield.
• Cover various city and town meetings and write stories on live file.
• File records requests and conduct research for long-form stories.
• Shoot photo and video to accompany stories.
Copy Editor
May 2019-October 2019
• Edited all web and print copy with a careful eye adhering to local and AP Style.
• Wrote print headlines to fit design specs.
• Monitored social media platforms and post stories when needed.
South Lake County Reporter
October 2019-present
• Report on the South Lake County communities in Northwest Indiana, including Crown Point, St. John and Winfield.
• Cover various city and town meetings and write stories on live file.
• File records requests and conduct research for long-form stories.
• Shoot photo and video to accompany stories.
Copy Editor
May 2019-October 2019
• Edited all web and print copy with a careful eye adhering to local and AP Style.
• Wrote print headlines to fit design specs.
• Monitored social media platforms and post stories when needed.
The Star Press | Muncie, Indiana
Eugene S. Pulliam Internship Program Intern
May 2018-August 2018
• Reported on the Muncie community, including coverage of local fairs.
• Contributed six stories to M Magazine, The Star Press’ quarterly publication, that produces content for Muncie and East Central Indiana residents.
Freelance Reporter
August 2018-May 2019
• Reported on the Muncie and surrounding Delaware County communities.
• Pitched story ideas that were of interest to The Star Press’ audience, while making the reader’s experience a forethought.
Eugene S. Pulliam Internship Program Intern
May 2018-August 2018
• Reported on the Muncie community, including coverage of local fairs.
• Contributed six stories to M Magazine, The Star Press’ quarterly publication, that produces content for Muncie and East Central Indiana residents.
Freelance Reporter
August 2018-May 2019
• Reported on the Muncie and surrounding Delaware County communities.
• Pitched story ideas that were of interest to The Star Press’ audience, while making the reader’s experience a forethought.
The Commercial Review | Portland, Indiana
Freelance Reporter
October 2017-May 2019
• Served as a watchdog to the Dunkirk, Indiana, community as the Dunkirk City Council beat reporter.
• Reported on the Jay County community, including coverage of local government, businesses and events.
Freelance Reporter
October 2017-May 2019
• Served as a watchdog to the Dunkirk, Indiana, community as the Dunkirk City Council beat reporter.
• Reported on the Jay County community, including coverage of local government, businesses and events.
Collegiate Experience
Ball Bearings Magazine| Muncie, Indiana
Fact Checker
October 2018-May 2019
• Verified all names, figures, pronouns and details in print and online stories.
Fact Checker
October 2018-May 2019
• Verified all names, figures, pronouns and details in print and online stories.
The Ball State Daily News | Muncie, Indiana
Assistant News Editor
August 2017-May 2018
• Created weekly content plans for the news section, including plans for long-form and investigative pieces.
• Advised and oversaw investigative pieces that required archival research and records requests.
News Reporter
August 2016-September 2018
• Covered crime, breaking news and general assignment stories, including pieces on Ball State’s 17th president and Indiana state legislation.
• Wrote an average of three to seven stories a week and focused on spot news, general assignment pieces, meeting coverage and digital briefs.
Assistant News Editor
August 2017-May 2018
• Created weekly content plans for the news section, including plans for long-form and investigative pieces.
• Advised and oversaw investigative pieces that required archival research and records requests.
News Reporter
August 2016-September 2018
• Covered crime, breaking news and general assignment stories, including pieces on Ball State’s 17th president and Indiana state legislation.
• Wrote an average of three to seven stories a week and focused on spot news, general assignment pieces, meeting coverage and digital briefs.
Education
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Major: News Journalism, Spanish
Degree: B.A., May 2019
GPA: 3.76
Muncie, Indiana
Major: News Journalism, Spanish
Degree: B.A., May 2019
GPA: 3.76
Skills
Writing | Copy editing | Social media, SEO | Interviewing | Photography | Videography | Spanish | Fact checking
Awards
The Daily News | Newcomer of the Year, 2017
The Daily News |Most Dedicated Staff Member, 2018
Keating Competition | One of 10 state-wide finalists, 2018
Columbia Scholastic Press Association | News feature, second place, 2018
The Daily News |Most Dedicated Staff Member, 2018
Keating Competition | One of 10 state-wide finalists, 2018
Columbia Scholastic Press Association | News feature, second place, 2018
Activities
Society of Professional Journalists |
Ball State University
Member, 2016-2019
Online News Association |
Ball State University
President, 2018-2019
Burris K-5 Spanish Program |
Burris Laboratory School
Spanish tutor, 2018-2019
Ball State University
Member, 2016-2019
Online News Association |
Ball State University
President, 2018-2019
Burris K-5 Spanish Program |
Burris Laboratory School
Spanish tutor, 2018-2019
References
Marc Chase
Editor | The Times of NWI
Munster, Indiana
marc.chase@nwi.com
Editor | The Times of NWI
Munster, Indiana
marc.chase@nwi.com
Greg Fallon
Former executive editor | The Star Press
Muncie, Indiana
gmfallon@bsu.edu
Former executive editor | The Star Press
Muncie, Indiana
gmfallon@bsu.edu
Ray Cooney
Editor and publisher | The Commercial Review
Portland, Indiana
r.cooney@thecr.com
Editor and publisher | The Commercial Review
Portland, Indiana
r.cooney@thecr.com
