2012 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
Newspapers | Magazines | Art/Graphics | Radio | Television | Online
Click on each region's number to read a press release that contains a complete list of winners from that region.
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— Region 12
The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the national winners of the 2012 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2012. This year student journalists submitted more than 4,600 entries.
The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of a national honor. If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.
School divisions are based on student enrollment, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment: Large schools have more than 10,000 students, medium have 9,999 to 5,001 students, and small have fewer than 5,000 students.
National Mark of Excellence Award judges can choose up to one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up).
Winners and finalists were previously recognized by receiving first-place in one of the SPJ’s 12 regional competitions. Each first-place regional winner advanced to the national competition.
First-place national winners will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism 2013 conference August 24-26 in Anaheim. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Police arrest Temerson Square gunman,” by Will Tucker, Ashley Chaffin, Katherine Owen and Mary Kathryn Patterson, University of Alabama
— National Finalist: “In the wake of the storm: Families comb through the rubble,” by Becca Clemons, University of Kentucky
— National Finalist: “SB1070 Arguments Before Supreme Court,” by Dustin Volz and Victoria Pelham, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Breaking News Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “After Brook St. attack, senior chases down, catches mugger,” by Lucy Feldman, Brown University
Read story online— National Finalist: “Sanford gives $2 million to Dragon Athletics,” by Bryce Haugen, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “UVa-Wise mourns Chancellor David Prior’s death,” by Jordan Fifer, The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Read story online— National Finalist: “Administration stuns Xavier community with layoffs, mandatory closure announcements,” by Cassie Smith, editor-in-chief, Xavier Univesity of Louisiana
— National Finalist: “ASG Undecided on Election,” by Matthew Rupel, Santa Clara University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Voters feel intimidated by election observers,” by AJ Vicens and Natasha Khan, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Read story online— National Finalist: “Victims speak up on sexual assault,” by Caitlin McCabe, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “Love won't keep you safe,” by Stacey Barnes, Northern Kentucky University
General News Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Campus responds to delayed police reporting of rape,” by Alex Lindley and Matt Wilson, University of North Alabama
— National Finalist: “Medical accreditation programs plan to merge,” by Ashley Jost, Truman State University
— National Finalist: “Gay-Straight Alliance meets MLK protesters,” by Tala Wood, North Idaho College
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Real Impact: How a dangerous fake ID website was shut down by an article,” by John McAuliff, University of Richmond
— National Finalist: “Clinton explains ‘simple’ election choice,” by Marina Weis
Connor Mulvaney, Point Park University
— National Finalist: “Trustees expand campus police authority, hire new auditing firm,” by Matthew Cecil, DePauw University
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Justice denied? Richmond ALJ hearing Social Security claims has one of the highest denial rates,” by Sean Collins-Smith and Brandon Shulleeta, Virginia Commonwealth University
— National Finalist: “The courting of Jason Cope: Behind the scenes of a $1 million withdrawal,” by Doug Brown, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Our Remedy or Ruin?” by Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism students, University of North Texas
In-Depth Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Mental Health at Harvard,” by Quinn D. Hatoff, Harvard University
— National Finalist: “Tuition, fees up 50.8 percent in 4 years,” by Edward Bailey, Troy University
— National Finalist: “Breast-feeding, news judgment under scrutiny after national attention,” by Rachel S. Karas, American University
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: Mast Student Conduct, by Mooring Mast Staff, Pacific Lutheran University
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “Hillsboro native builds ‘Vision of Life’ for homeless kids in Ethiopian capital,” by Mackinzie Hamilton, Utah State University
— National Finalist: “Money, murder and prison: The rise and fall of a drug boss,” by Christopher Hong and Ian Cummings, The University of Kansas
— National Finalist: “Violent campaign for Puerto Rican independence shatters families on both sides of the fight,” by Maryann Batlle, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Feature Writing, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Addiction: Roads To Recovery,” by Adrien Jarvis, Loyola Marymount University
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Palestinian Youth at a Crossroads,” by Anna Van Hollen, Davidson College
— National Finalist: “Molly's Legacy: Hope for Haiti,” by Kate Stringer, University of Portland
— National Finalist: “N.O. film industry breaks out,” by Shannon Donaldson, Loyola University New Orleans
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “The economics of athletics,” by Derek Wetmore, University of Minnesota
— National Finalist: “Larger than life: Six things you don't know about A.J. Francis,” by Connor Letourneau, University of Maryland, College Park
— National Finalist: “Evolution of the college football player,” by Luke Johnson, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
Sports Writing, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Rethinking America's Pastime: The Paul DePodesta Story,” by Scott A. Sherman, Harvard University
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Dissecting the arm and mind of Jaime Schultz,” by Henry Molski, High Point University
— National Finalist: “Houser reflects on career with Baker soccer,” by Shawn Deegan, Baker University
— National Finalist: “From the ASC to the NFL, Menkin excels,” by Christian Hernandez, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Editorial Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: Casey McDermott, Pennsylvania State University
— National Finalist: Kale Williams, Cassie Becker and Kelly Goff, San Francisco State University
Editorial Writing, Medium School Division
National Winner: Gatepost editorial board, Framingham State University
Editorial Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: Caitlin Yilek, University of Portland
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: Colin Ross, Yale University
— National Finalist: Darrington Clark, Kansas State University
— National Finalist: Gordon Brillon, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
General Column Writing, Medium School Division
National Winner: Elika Roohi, University of Alaska Fairbanks
— National Finalist: Mackenzie Clark, Johnson County Community College
— National Finalist: Rachel C. Stella, Lewis University
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: Kari Travis, Taylor University
— National Finalist: Max Martinez, Eckerd College
— National Finalist: Ben Conway, Trinity University
Sports Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: Ryan Osborne, Texas Christian University
— National Finalist: Matt Masterson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
— National Finalist: Luke Johnson, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
Sports Column Writing, Medium School Division
National Winner: Alexis Hosticka, Harding University
— National Finalist: Eric Rivera, North Idaho College
— National Finalist: Andrew Clay, Troy University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: LSU Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge
Download sample issues [PDF]: Issue 1 | 2 | 3
— National Finalist: Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
— National Finalist: The Oklahoma Daily, University of Oklahoma
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper, Large School Division
National Winner: The Columbia Chronicle, Columbia College Chicago
— National Finalist: Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
— National Finalist: The Red & Black, University of Georgia
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper, Medium School Division
National Winner: The Eagle, American University
View Issues Online: Link 1 | 2 | 3
— National Finalist: The Ithacan, Ithaca College
— National Finalist: The Campus Ledger, Johnson County Community College
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper, Small School Division
National Winner: The Butler Collegian, Butler University
Download sample issues [PDF]: Issue 1 | 2 | 3
— National Finalist: Wingspan, Laramie County Community College
— National Finalist: The Collegian, The University of Tulsa
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner: Curb, University of Wisconsin-Madison
— National Finalist: Etc. Magazine, City College of San Francisco
— National Finalist: The Flood of the Century, University of Mississippi
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner: “Living with one,” by Lindsey Erdody, Indiana University
— National Finalist: “Not for Sale,” by Caitlin Carter, Amanda Dahling, Matt Veto and Darren Orf, Missouri School of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Dads’ donations leave final gifts,” by Chelsea Henderson, Lamar University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “College Fest,” by Philip Botta, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Warrior Dash,” by Anna Reed, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
— National Finalist: “He's Back,” by Dylan Langille, Colorado State University
Breaking News Photography, Medium School Division
“A Son Remembered,” by Alex Mowrey, Slippery Rock University
— National Finalist: “Gay-Straight Alliance meets MLK protesters,” by Gabe Green, North Idaho College
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
“Hands on reporting,” by Alicia Hurley, Laramie County Community College
— National Finalist: “Clinton explains ‘simple’ election choice,” by Connor Mulvaney, Point Park University
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Herman Cain,” by Adam Niemi, Central Michigan University
— National Finalist: “Election Night,” by Aaron Lavinsky, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
— National Finalist: “Battle of the bartenders,” by Steph Anderson, Missouri State University
General News Photography, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Operation New Hope gives dogs and inmates a second chance,” by Joseph Jacob, Savannah College of Art and Design
— National Finalist: “Chinese New Year,” by Matthew Grant Arnold, Mercer County Community College
— National Finalist: “Nate White, who plays Joseph in the musical ...” by Ashel Parsons, Harding University
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Homecoming royalty,” by Tera Lyons, Baker University
— National Finalist: “Harvesting a Killed Crop,” by Tim Riethmiller and Corrie Dyke, Taylor University
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Cadets train at Indiana facility,” by Tyler Bell, The News Record, University of Cincinnati
— National Finalist: “Painting the Painted Desert,” by Aaron Lavinsky, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
— National Finalist: “The Flood of the Century,” by Jared Burleson, University of Mississippi
Feature Photography, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Kaffestua: Sunburg man serves authentic Norwegian food,” by Kaitlyn Teske, Minnesota State University Moorhead
— National Finalist: “Playing with fire,” by Hannah Hunsinger, Johnson County Community College
— National Finalist: “Country Must Be Country Wide,” by Alex Mowrey, Slippery Rock University
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Fire eater,” by Nikayla Cooper, Northwest College
— National Finalist: “Together again: Colombian refugees resettle in Jacksonville,” by Sarah Williamson, Flagler College
— National Finalist: “New York City Graffiti Art,” by Weiyu Li, Fordham College at Lincoln Center
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner: “The Hummingbird's Son,” by Eric Nishimoto, University of North Texas
— National Finalist: “Stories from Sandy,” by Torri Singer, College of Communications
— National Finalist: “No-Court Press,” by Amanda L. Abad and David McVicker, Southwestern College
Photo Illustration, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Chick-fil-A: Here to stay?,” Claire Esparros, Elon University
— National Finalist: “Gay marriage,” by Hannah Hunsinger, Johnson County Community College
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Your knee shouldn't go that way,” by Kelley King, College of Communications
— National Finalist: “Focus,” by Mark Vancleave, University of Minnesota
— National Finalist: “Taggart celebrates with team,” by Jeff Brown, Western Kentucky University
Sports Photography, Medium School Division
National Winner: “The Catch,” by Alex Mowrey, Slippery Rock University
— National Finalist: “Savannah Derby Devils offers one hell of a show,” by Pablo Serrano-Otero, Savannah College of Art and Design
— National Finalist: “Firing on All Cylinders at the right time,” by Gabe Green, North Idaho College
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Football vs. Graceland,” by Tera Lyons, Baker University
— National Finalist: “Steer wrestling,” by Shaelie Palmer, Northwest College
— National Finalist: “Round Two!,” by Jackie Jeffers, University of Portland
Editorial Cartooning, Large School Division
National Winner: John Vestevich, Ferris State University
Editorial Cartooning, Medium School Division
National Winner: Jeffrey Vossler, Savannah College of Art and Design
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner: “Santa Barbara County is writing its own rules on fracking,” by Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley
— National Finalist: “Post-Election Day coverage,” by WLUW's LunchTime News, Loyola University Chicago
— National Finalist: “Cedar Key oyster industry in trouble,” by Cameron Taylor, University of Florida
Radio Feature
National Winner: “A deaf man hears music,” by Aaron Schrank, University of Southern California
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “Knocked Out,” by Robb Jacobson, Indiana University School of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Chancellor Thorp's Resignation (Series),” by staff of Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “Without Consent,” by The Footbridge Forum Team, The University of Montana
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner: Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: WUFT Front Page, University of Florida
— National Finalist: Newscenter88, by Leannda Carey, Marcus Constantino and Adam Rogers, Marshall University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner: “Live from Biloxi-Tracking Isaac,” by Margaret Ann Morgan and Stephen Quinn, University of Mississippi
— National Finalist: “Apartment fire,” by Kim Kressin, Minnesota State University Moorhead
— National Finalist: “Growing Evidence suggests missing UF student likely murdered,” by Cameron Taylor, University of Florida
Television General News Reporting
National Winner: “Scottsdale City Council bought and paid for by the liquor industry?” by Bill Melugin, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Public safety leaves students unsafe,” by Lindsey Branwall, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: “Foreclosures,” by Ana Sebescen, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner: “Stable Days Youth Ranch,” by Ali Strand, University of North Dakota
— National Finalist: “The man who they say caused the flood,” by Jennifer Long, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “UM's Local Food Connection,” by Jonathon Ambarian, University of Montana
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “Researchers investigate links between fracking and water contamination,” by Taylor Mirfendereski, Ohio University
— National Finalist: “Boom! Behind the Bakken,” by UM Student Documentary Unit 2012, The University of Montana
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner: “In-Depth: The price of playing,” by Amber Harding, Justin Beatty and Kim Pestalozzi, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Centralia's Friday Night Lights culture,” by Ari Alexander, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “Ultimate thrill,” by Britanni Good, Brigham Young University
Television News Photography
National Winner: “Vets training to become firefighters,” by Blake Essig, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
— National Finalist: “Hurricane Sandy Damage,” by Zach Russo, Quinnipiac University
— National Finalist: “Students in final push to get out the vote,” by Josh Sidorowicz, Michigan State University
Television Feature Photography
National Winner: “Fractured,” by Joshua Davis, UNC-Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “Nogales Old West tradition survives,” by Jack Highberger, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Television Sports Photography
National Winner: “Help a willing kid,” by Andrew Kelleher, Michigan State University
— National Finalist: “UM pole vaulter shoots for new heights,” by Keele Smith, University of Montana
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner: ElevenNEWS at Noon, Brigham Young University
— National Finalist: UTVS Newscast, by Leah Carr, Lindsey Branwall and UTVS Staff, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: The Centre County Report, Pennsylvania State University
Online
Online News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Election Night 2012 coverage,” by staff, DePaul University
— National Finalist: “Republican and Democratic National Conventions,” by Capital News Service Staff, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “The New Bullying,” by staff, Michigan State University
Online News Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Hurricane Sandy coverage,” by The Quad News, Quinnipiac University
— National Finalist: “Explosion occurs on south side of Indianapolis,” by Kaley Belakovich and Anna Wieseman, University of Indianapolis
— National Finalist: “SUU investigating plagiarism complaints,” by Whitney Baum, Southern Utah University
Online News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Election 2012: Hawk the Vote,” by Christopher Ferreira, Nicholle Buckley, Olivia Lyons and George Boveroux, Roger Williams University
— National Finalist: “Election 2012,” by The Baker Orange Staff, Baker University
— National Finalist: “Villagio Fire,” by Usama Alony Hamed, Northwestern University in Qatar
Online Feature Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Dominican immigrants fight for land rights in Puerto Rico,” by Natasha Khan and Fara Illich, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
— National Finalist: “The Undocumentary,” by Joshua Davis, UNC-Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “The gift of gab: Wisconsin man becomes advocate for ALS research,” by Jordan Johansen, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Online Feature Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Being Queen: Life in Drag,” by Lane Zyvoloski, Minnesota State University Moorhead
— National Finalist: “Operation New Hope gives dogs and inmates a second chance,” by Danielle Austin and Joseph Jacob, Savannah College of Art and Design
— National Finalist: “The Planet of the Octopuses,” by Max Knoblauch, Hofstra University
Online Feature Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Culture Shock,” by The Baker Orange Staff, Baker University
— National Finalist: “Maid abuse: A growing problem in Qatar,” by Abir Bouguerra, Angel Polacco and Sara Al-Darwish, Northwestern University in Qatar
— National Finalist: “A difference between faiths: Politically irrelevant,” by Lauren Ely, Flagler College
Online In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “The Doctor Drain,” by NYCity News Service staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Maryland Families: Falling behind,” by staff of The Capital News Service, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “The courting of Jason Cope: Behind the scenes of a $1 million withdrawal,” by Doug Brown, Frank Yonkof and Rachel Kilroy, Kent State University
Online In-Depth Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Samuel's Story,” by Sara Gentzler, Creighton University
— National Finalist: “2012 Savannah Film Festival,” by staff, Savannah College of Art and Design
Online In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Poor diet: Not enough food and the wrong kind,” by Billy Crosby, Tory Dickerson, Killeen King and Jessica Strait, Washington and Lee University
— National Finalist: “Securing Arab American vote,” by Arab Amreeka 2012 staff, Northwestern University in Qatar
Online Opinion and Commentary, Large School Division
National Winner: Ayobami Olugbemiga, George Washington University
— National Finalist: Gabriel Radley, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Online Opinion and Commentary, Medium School Division
National Winner: Susan Kemp, Savannah College of Art and Design
Online Opinion and Commentary, Small School Division
National Winner: Phil Grech, Flagler College
— National Finalist: Leah Burchfiel, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Online Sports Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Fields apart: City, suburban football programs are a study in contrasts,” by Kaitlin Sharkey, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Read online: Link 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
— National Finalist: “90Ksu reached with help of departmental money,” by Doug Brown, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Bowling in the 21st century,” by Christina Miller, University of South Florida
Online Sports Reporting, Medium School Division
National Winner: “Money reallocations disband three student teams,” by Allen Duncan, Savannah College of Art and Design
— National Finalist: “Madison Wood: SUU soccer player with a mission,” by Carter Williams, Southern Utah University
Online Sports Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “She's the ‘Enigma’ of Roller Derby,” by Tera Lyons and Xiomara Nunez, Baker University
Best Affiliated Website, Large School Division
National Winner: Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota
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— National Finalist: The GW Hatchet, The George Washington University
— National Finalist: The State Press, Arizona State University
Best Affiliated Website, Medium School Division
National Winner: The Pendulum, Elon University
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— National Finalist: SUU News, Southern Utah University
Best Affiliated Website, Small School Division
National Winner: The Trinitonian, Trinity University
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— National Finalist: The Online Current, Eckerd College
Best Independent Online Student Publication, Large School Division
National Winner: The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
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— National Finalist: West Virginia Uncovered, West Virginia University
— National Finalist: South Florida News Service, Florida International University
Best Independent Online Student Publication, Medium School Division
National Winner: District, Savannah College of Art and Design
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— National Finalist: Doing It Downtown, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Best Independent Online Student Publication, Small School Division
National Winner: The Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University
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— National Finalist: The Connector, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta