MARY FREDA
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    • The Times of Northwest Indiana
    • The Star Press
    • The Commercial Review
    • The Ball State Daily News
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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. 
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.
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
.

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.
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.

Education

Ball State University
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

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

References 

Marc Chase
Editor | The Times of NWI
Munster, Indiana
​marc.chase@nwi.com
​Greg Fallon
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
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  • Home
  • About Me
  • Résumé
  • Portfolio
    • The Times of Northwest Indiana
    • The Star Press
    • The Commercial Review
    • The Ball State Daily News
  • Get in Touch