Student Spotlight
Ivy Rose Ball
By Rebekah Brown, student PR intern
Ivy Rose Ball is a senior from Muscle Shoals, Ala., majoring in communication with a concentration in print and digital journalism. She is the editor-in-chief for The Reflector, and she also is a photography intern for Mississippi State Athletics. Her dream job is to be a photographer for a lifestyle magazine or to be a sports photographer.
Why communication?
I started as a business administration major because I thought that would be the most useful if I wanted to continue doing photography professionally. However, after becoming the photography editor at The Reflector, I was in the newsroom a lot more often, began writing and fell in love with journalism.
Favorite class so far?
Editing and Design with Mr. Foreman
Advice for incoming communication students?
Get involved with the student media on campus! Whether it be The Reflector, Take 30 News or The Junction radio station, you will learn a lot through first-hand experience that you can't get in a regular classroom! Be bold and take risks as well. My first time trying sports photography was through a baseball game with The Reflector, and now it is something I'm really passionate about!
Best advice you’ve received from a professor?
Something my professors have taught me that has had a great impact on my life is to listen intentionally in interviews. I try to carry this over into my everyday life, really listening to and thinking about what people are saying rather than thinking about what I am going to say or ask next.
Have you had any internships? If so, describe them
In Summer 2024, I interned as a photographer for the TimesDaily in Florence, AL. I got to take photos for a wide variety of articles and learned a lot under my supervisor Dan Busey. I really enjoyed getting to see the inside operations of a professional newspaper and getting to take photos in my hometown.
I have been a photography intern at Mississippi State Athletics since my sophomore year. This means I attend one to two sporting events a week to take photos for the athletic department to use on their social media, website, flyers and all other official uses. Through this internship, I have been mentored by some of the best photographers in the industry and grown tremendously.
Favorite place on MSU’s campus?
Upstairs in the McComas lobby, I really like the lighting up there with all of the windows and it's always a pretty quiet and peaceful place to study. Dudy Noble Field is a close second, though.
Guilty pleasure show?
Dead Like Me. It's a sitcom that only ran from like 2003 to 2005. The best way I can describe it is like the office but with grim reapers. You would think a show with such a "grim" topic would be really sad or depressing, but it's actually pretty funny.
Favorite Starkville restaurant?
The Little Dooey
Davis Wade Stadium or Dudy Noble Field
Dudy Noble Field
Do you drink coffee? If so, what is your coffee order?
Folgers Black Silk with a large amount of heavy cream and, when available, a dash of pumpkin spice creamer.