Vicory receives highest honor

by Hayden Kalp

The 2021 Department of Mass Media Lifetime Achievement Award was given to alumna Sue Vicory, 1976.

Vicory, an accomplished filmmaker living in Kansas City, came from back to her alma mater in late October, 2021 to speak with film students in the Department of Mass Media.

In Spring of 2020, Maria Stover, Professor & Chair of the Department of Mass Media, and Matthew Nyquist, assistant professor of mass media, virtually presented Vicory her award. Vicory said it felt like a ginormous honor to receive this award.

Vicory shared her story and the path that led her to being where she is now. She graduated with an elementary education degree from Washburn and stayed in the education field until she turned 47.

After sending both of her daughters off to college, she decided that she was going to try her hand at filmmaking, signing up that same day for a one-week course in New York City. During that week, she wrote, produced, casted, directed and edited her first film, “The Anniversary Dinner.”

Since her debut film, Vicory has gone on to make multiple documentary style films including, “Homelessness and the Power of One” (2005), “Kansas City Jazz and Blues: Past Present & Future” (2010), “Down Stage” (2015), and most recently, “The Original Jayhawker” (2021).

“What I love about Sue is that she is a connector,” said Stover. “She is one of those amazing people who connects people with opportunities. I find her very inspirational because she is exemplifying her My Power of One brand she established in 2014.”

Vicory’s films have premiered at multiple film festivals and on major networks such as Sundance Film Festival, and PBS.

She has also been an advocate for women in film. Her aforementioned project, “Down Stage,” consisted of an all-female cast and crew and was made in only 48 hours.

She has also hosted multiple women-only film panels and her production company, Heartland Films, just sponsored a panel at the 2022 Santa Monica Women Filmmaker Showcase in March.

Vicory will also host panels for Washburn’s 2022 WIFI film festival. To learn more about her brand and what she stands for, visit www.mypowerofone.com. photo courtesy of Sue Vicory Sue Vicory received the 2021 Department of Mass Media Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of media.

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