Publisher Crystal Proxmire Honored as Finalist for Intern Supervisor of the Year Award
(Oakland County Times, May 3, 2024)
Grand Rapids, MI – After just two years of working with interns from Grand Valley State University, Oakland County Times Publisher Crystal Proxmire was honored to be selected as one of three finalists for the Intern Supervisor of the Year Award.
There are over 300 supervisors across all areas of study, and 52 of them were nominated by their intern for the award.
Proxmire was nominated by inten Elizabeth Schanz who has done some amazing stories in her time with Oakland County Times. In one story Schanz interviewed a man who had experienced a traumatic brain injury who has been recovering and helping others tell their stories. In another she spoke with a 9-year-old artist about his business and the charity aspect of it. In another there was a man who wrote a love song to his wife as she succumbed to Alzheimer’s.
Schanz has also tackled political and social justice topics, including Oakland University’s Center for Civic Engagement, a mural in Pontiac celebrating the first black female property owner in the city, and the community response to a city councilperson who voted against closing off a street for a Pride festival and the controversial remarks he made as to why.
This amazing writer has also taken a look at efforts to reduce homelessness, a county program to help individuals and business owners with financial empowerment, ways for residents to get involved with boards and commissions, and a story of a local mayor that starts of meetings with moments of mindfulness. Plus she did a pretty sweet story about a chocolate shop.
In addition to her internship, Schanz worked on Grand Valley’s student paper The Lanthorn, and she is a dancer.
Schanz wrote an exceptionally kind recommendation letter for Proxmire’s nomination, telling the Grand Valley judges “Crystal Proxmire is a testament to journalistic integrity and is truly keeping local journalism alive. Crystal is a GVSU alum who founded the Oakland County Times in southeast Michigan a publication that is upholding local journalism in an area of conglomerate media and news deserts.
“She is truly a testament to what it means to be a Laker for a Lifetime. She helps GVSU students like me use my education in the real world. She leads by example and gives resources that expand my reporting skills. Her work, and role as my advisor, have inspired me to pursue journalism because of its ability to promote democracy and educate the community. Crystal goes above and beyond as a journalist and advisor. Within the community, Crystal is incredibly respected. When Crystal assigns me to field assignments: local board meetings, community events, and personal features, her positive reputation and impactful storytelling at the Oakland County Times precede her. She is known as someone who works tirelessly to inform the public, connect personally to the community, and position the publication as a vital resource. I am in awe of her impact and intelligence.
“Additionally, Crystal is an incredibly kind, patient, and helpful person. She never fails to offer tools to help with stories. She is encouraging when aspects of stories go wrong, working through the mistakes to make me a stronger writer, and always celebrating accomplishments while pushing me to become the best version of myself personally and professionally. She is so selfless. She encourages me to pursue stories I am passionate about, offers opportunities like workshops that promote journalistic skills, and will always be supportive of what I want to pursue professionally. She works to cultivate community within the publication through writer lunches, individual check-ins, and being an earnest communicator. I am so grateful to work for someone who leads with strength, kindness, and true dedication to her writers as individuals.
“Seeing the professional and personal impact Crystal Proxmire brings as an advisor inspires me in my leadership. As the Editor-in-Chief of the Grand Valley Lanthorn, I take many of the honorable leadership aspects Crystal demonstrates within my internship. Working at the Oakland County Times has expanded the perspective I bring to my work as a campus journalist. I have developed a greater understanding of how to find story leads, how to maintain contacts, and how to teach my staff in a way that is honest and kind, all ideas I model after Crystal’s leadership as my internship advisor. I take what she has taught me into everything I do as a journalist.
“After working for Crystal over the last two, almost three, years, I have been able to extend my GVSU education beyond the classroom, connecting the concepts I have learned. I am prepared to enter into a field I am passionate about. I am honored to represent the publication and aspire to be a thorough and community-focused journalist like Crystal.
Interns for the three finalists also made videos about their interning experience that were shared at the awards ceremony in April. The event also included a lunch for interns and supervisors, and a chance to meet others in the internship program. Proxmire is a graduate of GVSU, and is excited to now be helping young people who are interested in journalism.
The winner of the award was Sami Birch of Mission Design and Automation whose intern Virginia Berger was selected as Outstanding Undergraduate Intern of the Year. Congratulations also to For-Profit Employer of the Year UFP Industries, Non-Profit Employer of the Year Kent County Juvenile Detention, Internship Advocate of the Year Chelsea Brehm of Sport Management, and Graduate Intern of the Year Grace Minai.
Oakland County Times is happy to work with students, interns, and freelance writers. Interns and other writers are paid a modest stipend on a per-story basis. Those interested can reach out to Proxmire at editor@oc115.com.
