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Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly
By John Foust
Vol.19 | No. 6 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Log Cabin Democrat in Conway is Stewart’s “dream job” A love for newspapers began at an early age for Jeanette Stewart, managing editor of the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway.
frequently takes clippings of newspaper articles she believes will be of interest to her grandmother, who now lives in Perryville.
That passion developed largely through the influence of her grandmother, Bernice Shumate.
To Stewart it was good fortune to have landed when she did at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Under the guidance of such professors as Dr. David Keith and Dr. Donna Stephens, she did indeed find her calling.
“My grandmother was an avid reader of the Arkansas Gazette,” Stewart said. “She was the one who instilled that love for newspapers in me. In fact, she also taught me how to read using newspapers.”
“Dr. Keith was my mentor and I still think of him as my professional advisor,” Stewart said. “I text or call him regularly when I have a question or concern about some aspect of my work.”
Her future career was foreshadowed when she compiled a “little family newspaper” as a child. The writing aspect came somewhat easily, “but I certainly didn’t have a knack for drawing,” she said, remembering the “stick figures” that accompanied the articles.
Stewart appreciates that journalism students at UCA were given the opportunity to be involved in “real world newspaper coverage” through their student publication, The Echo. That included covering meetings in the broader community of Conway, as well as controversial stories on campus involving the university president and an academic cheating scandal.
Stewart grew up in Morrilton and graduated from high school there in 1995 – “once a Devil Dog, always a Devil Dog” – and then began her working career in the community. She was employed at a Jeanette Stewart at the Log Cabin Democrat office in downtown Conway. local bank when she made the momentous decision to go to college and obtain a degree in Stewart served as the editor of The Echo during her senior year at journalism. UCA. “I left my cushy job and went back to school,” she said. “It probably “I just have a great appreciation for Dr. Keith and the way he was not the best financial decision, but it was always the dream.” challenged us and prepared us,” Stewart said. She continues her Once again, her grandmother provided important guidance. involvement with the UCA journalism department by serving “She completely supported me and encouraged me to go for it,” as the professional journalist representative on the publications Stewart said. “In fact, she said ‘FINALLY’ when I told her of my plan.” board. Now in her “dream job” at the Log Cabin Democrat, Stewart See Stewart Page 3 Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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February 8, 2024