About
Grant Connected is Indiana Wesleyan University’s digital, student-run news site that focuses on Grant County News. The publication is overseen by Amplify Media, IWU’s student-led media team. The all-student staff also reports for The Sojourn, a publication focused on IWU news.
2023-2024 Staff
Sydney Leyerle (Grant Connected Editor-in-Chief)
Year: Junior
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “At one time I had seven cats.”
Sam Wort (Amplify Media Executive Director)
Year: Senior
Major: Multimedia Communication and Sports Management
Fun Fact: “I’m a broadcaster for IWU sports.”
Kenzie Ogden (The Sojourn Editor-in-Chief)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Multimedia Communication with a minor in Spanish
Fun Fact: “I have seen over 50 artists in concert.”
Bryce Crossman (Amplify Media Video Director)
Year: Junior
Major: Multimedia Communication with a Theatre minor
Fun Fact: “I’m a trained sword fighter.”
Parker Dean (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I have almost bowled a perfect game in bowling (290).”
Emily Lamb (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I’ve lived in four different states! (Colorado, Indiana, Alaska, and South Dakota).”
Alexis Podgers (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Multimedia Communication with a Photography minor
Fun Fact: “I have been to 13 different countries in the past four years.”
Eden Swartz (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Strategic Communication
Fun Fact: “I have a dog named Chicken.”
Seth Bos (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Strategic Communication with a minor in Graphic Design
Fun Fact: “I’m a proficient jigsaw puzzler.”
Jerah Winn (Writer)
Year: Senior
Major: Writing and Honors Humanities with Biblical Languages minor
Fun Fact: “I grew up in Central Asia and speak Azerbaijani.”
Faith Vander Laan (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Strategic Communication
Fun Fact: “I am an assistant high school girl’s wrestling coach.”
Mya McNew (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Strategic Communication with Public Relations concentration and a minor in Media
Fun Fact: “I am part of Cantate and plan to join the chapel team next year.”
Lucas Vargo (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I participate in intermural football, basketball, and volleyball.”
Clint Shockney (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I once ate Cocoa Pebbles every day for a year.”
Andrew Scalf (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I am the 2024 Hodson Hall Weine Wolfing champion.”
Colin Wood (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Strategic Communication
Fun Fact: “I am friends with one of the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd.”
Emily Bontrager (Writer)
Year: Freshman
Major: Multimedia Communication
Fun Fact: “I’m an only child.”
William Cheney (Writer)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Strategic Communication and Business Administration with a minor in Military Leadership
Fun Fact: “I am communications officer for IWU’s International Student Association.”
Tiffaney Hughes (Writer)
Year: Senior
Major: Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities
Fun Fact: “I crawled backwards until I could walk.”