2018 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
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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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The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the national winners of the 2018 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2018.
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. Schools with more than 10,000 students are designated as large schools.
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 2019 conference in San Antonio. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Yale student Saifullah Khan navigates rape charges
Britton O'Daly, Hailey Fuchs, Jingyi Cui and Serena Cho, Yale University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5
– National Finalist: “Bomb threat at University of Kentucky,” by Staff, University of Kentucky
– National Finalist: “DJ Durkin fired as Maryland football's coach,” by Diamondback Staff, University of Maryland
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
“After months, an arrest and some answers in Mandadi case”
Grace Frye, Daniel Conrad and Kathleen Creedon, Trinity University
– National Finalist: “Rains from Tropical Storm Michael drench Elon,” by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Sit-in leads to meeting with University President Mark C. Reed,” by Ana Faguy and Luke Malanga, Saint Joseph's University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Arrest Sparks Allegations of Police Brutality
The Crimson News Staff, Harvard College
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5
– National Finalist: “UI student research found over 100 birds collided into 5 campus buildings in 10 weeks,” by Katelyn Weisbrod, University of Iowa
– National Finalist: “Sexual Harassment on Campus,” by Talis Shelbourne, Jennifer Rick, Henry Morgan, Madison Sepanik, Elizabeth Sloan, Nyesha Stone and Miela Fetaw, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
As Silent Sam is toppled, conversation around Confederate monuments continues
Alex Hager and Emmanuel Morgan, Elon University
– National Finalist: “On border road, a barrier to entry marks a changing way of life,” by Alexandre Silberman, St. Thomas University
– National Finalist: “Butler Dining Services,” by The Butler Collegian, Butler University
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Corporate Influence Series
Michael Burke, Syracuse University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Chartwells Workers Series,” by Megan Zerez, University of Texas at Dallas
– National Finalist: “Wild admits knowledge of clergy abuse allegations,” by Morgan Hughes, Marquette University
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Police assault homeless black man outside of protest
Katy Stegall, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: “Flaws in Florida's SunPass toll system,” by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University
– National Finalist: “Collado Has Sexual Abuse Conviction, Denies Guilt,” by Aidan Quigley, Ithaca College
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
The man in black
Jack Evans, Indiana University
– National Finalist: “The Village That Flipped Back,” by Royce Podeszwa and Derek Grant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: “Working Stiffs series,” by Staff, University of North Texas
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Super-Fly struggles
Callahan Jones, Cedarville University
– National Finalist: “Making life small,” by Brigid Lowney and Molly Lowney, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “Bickford makes leap in frog science,” by Catalina Diaz, University of La Verne
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
BJ Duling: Meet the high-flying freshman with style on and off the court
Cameron Hoover, Kent State University
– National Finalist: “After the last sunset: Patterson's legacy lives in new OSU soccer stadium, beyond,” by Hallie Hart, Oklahoma State University
– National Finalist: “A new hope,” by Jordan Guskey, Indiana University
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Hurdles of Life
Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: “Butler’s Matt Howard at a crossroads in professional basketball career,” by Drew Favakeh, Butler University
– National Finalist: “Career-ending injury doesn't hinder Bain's legacy,” by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
Editorial Writing
National Winner
Daily Bruin Editorial Board
University of California, Los Angeles
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Kentucky Kernel Editorials,” by Staff, University of Kentucky
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Josh Petersen, University of Utah
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Rizza Estacio, University of California, Berkeley
– National Finalist: Didi Martinez, Maya Butler and Cameron Stuart, Baylor University
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Madeleine Lucchetti, Butler University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Jenna Piper, Laramie County Community College
– National Finalist: Alex Hentschel, Cedarville University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner
Locker Room Talk
Alicia Sadowski, University of California, Berkeley
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Henry Zhu, Harvard College
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
Yale Daily News
Yale University
– National Finalist: The Daily Californian, University of California, Berkeley
– National Finalist: The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: The Red & Black, University of Georgia
– National Finalist: The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner
North by Northwestern
Northwestern University
– National Finalist: Curb: FEARless, University of Wisconsin-Madison
– National Finalist: Yale Daily News Magazine, Yale University
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner
Sit-in at the Minute Inn
Lauren Puckett, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: “Declined help, declining help,” by Teddy Rosenbluth, University of California, Los Angeles
– National Finalist: “Diagnostic Deficit,” by Elizabeth Guthrie, Northwestern University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
After the National Championship Game
Casey Sykes, University of Georgia
– National Finalist: “Protesters flock to Capitol Hill to protest Supreme Court nominee,” by Margaret Wroblewski, The George Washington University
– National Finalist: “Honoring King's Legacy,” by Ariel Cobbert, University of Mississippi
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Scenes from Tropical Storm Michael
Anton L. Delgado, Elon University
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
IV Party Attains Unprecedented Power with Election Victories
Juan Gonzalez, University of California, Santa Barbara
– National Finalist: “Herculean Task, Little Help,” by Claudia Perez-Brito, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Faces of the Gun Divide,” by Media Milwaukee Staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
In Solidarity
Grace Hulin, Drake University
– National Finalist: “Back on top,” by Matt Repplier, Gonzaga University
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
The good, the bad, the tatted
Hannah LeTulle, Lamar University
– National Finalist: “St. Thomas celebrates color-filled Holi,” by Esmee Verschoor, University of St. Thomas
– National Finalist: “Wearing Her Game Face,” by Meiying Wu, University of Missouri
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Despite Setbacks, Buku Festival triumphs
Angelo Imbraguglio, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: “Through the Lens,” by Jefferine Jean-Jacques, Southern Connecticut State University
– National Finalist: “JJ Johnston,” by Gavin Doremus, Gonzaga University
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner
A mass shooting generation
Jack Lambert, Central Washington University
– National Finalist: “Hazing,” by Dani Watts, Kent State University
– National Finalist: “Meteor Shower,” by Yutong Zhou, Penn State University
Photo Illustration, Small School Division
National Winner
#TheMentalIssue
Emily Griffin, Harding University
– National Finalist: “Intersectionality,” by Stephanie Hays, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Challenging Religious Traditions: College students are shedding family ties in quest for answers,” by Kat Owens, Lindenwood University
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Photos: Ballyard Brawl mixes it up in Haymarket Park
Nicole Neri, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Diving Catch,” by Eric Firestine, Penn State University
– National Finalist: “Freshman quarterback,” by Josh Wineholt, Weber State University
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Harlem Globetrotters kick off homecoming weekend with a bang
Jessica Rapfogel, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Men's soccer team defeats Findley at home opener,” by Bill Woods, California University of Pennsylvania
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner
Aftin Gavin, Tarrant County College
– National Finalist: Nick Sandifer, Washington State University
– National Finalist: Samuel Myers, University of Kentucky
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner
Plastic Bag Fee
Storme Jones, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Gang Impact,” by WFUV staff, Fordham University
– National Finalist: “Some Missouri Healthcare Professionals, Advocates Disagree on Medical Marijuana Measures,” by Betsy Smith, University of Missouri
Radio Feature
National Winner
A Problem with Pythons
Alexa Lorenzo, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “A Dynamic Duo: Partnership Between Musicians And Public Land Agencies Inspires ‘Music For Nature,’” by Rhesa Ledbetter, Utah State University
– National Finalist: “Choosing Abortion: Honest Reflections on a Private Decision,” by Alexis Amenson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Sleep Paralysis
Josh Christensen, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Listen online: Link 1 • Link 2
– National Finalist: “Dairy Industry Threatened By Recent ICE Arrests,” by Taylor Pomasl, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
– National Finalist: “Legacy of Missing Lloyd Gaines, 1938 Supreme Court Plaintiff, Still Haunts Higher Education,” by Kathryn Palmer, University of Missouri
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner
Overcoming Adversity Through Archery
Meredith Sheldon, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Sweep sweep victory: giving curling a try,” by Kennedy Erdossy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: “NCAA ISU Volleyball Recap,” by Julie Martin, Illinois State University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner
From Where We Are
Rennie Svirnovsky, Sabby Robinson, Camila Rios and Selena Seay-Reynolds, University of Southern California
– National Finalist: KGOU-FM Noon Newscast, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: WUFT Radio Newscast, University of Florida
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner
Ole Miss Community Reacts to Controversial Facebook Post
Madison Scarpino, University of Mississippi
– National Finalist: Cronkite News Midterm Election Coverage, by Cronkite News Staff, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: Hurricane Michael, by WUFT News, University of Florida
Television General News Reporting
National Winner
Medical Marijuana Businesses Booming in Florida
Clarisa Melendez, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Oklahoma Baptist in Florida,” by Storme Jones, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Helicopter Wreaks Havoc On Tailgate,” by Brandon Pelter, Penn State University
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner
Art Class Dementia
Samie Gebers, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Banana Jack,” by Karthik Venkataraman, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Blessed: The Isaiah Westfall Story,” by Joe Scarella, St. Cloud State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Montana Jails: Slammed for Solutions
Student Documentary Unit (Spring 2018), University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Concrete Change,” by Courtney Mally, Marissa Roper and Maya Patrose, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Survival,” by Alia Haytham, Ahmed Zada, Laila Sherif Said and Nada Mawsouf, The American University in Cairo
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner
A Dangerous Edge
David Perez, Luis Gonzalez and Gianna Sanchez, The University of Miami
– National Finalist: “Erin Fons Dives In,” by Aaron Simmons, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner
Annenberg TV News
Chris Cheshire, Courtney Burke, Cici Pan and Nick Alfano, University of Southern California
– National Finalist: Elon Local News, Elon University
– National Finalist: WVU News, West Virginia University
Best All-Around News Magazine
National Winner
Centre County Report in Israel
Penn State University
– National Finalist: VCU InSight, Virginia Commonwealth University
– National Finalist: Cronkite Sports Report, Arizona State University
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner
Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes: Investigating Efforts to Protect and Preserve Water Quality
Kurt Williams and Andrew Blok, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: “Free Press or Oppressed: Why America Needs the Fourth Estate,” by Lauren Malner, Brigham Young University
– National Finalist: “Tennessee death row inmates ask for electrocution over lethal injection. It’s a form of protest.” by Stavros Agorakis, Northwestern University
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner
Welcome to Barron
Media Milwaukee staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: “Hidden Legends: Prominent black women in OU history,” by Anna Bauman, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Virginia communities, legislators breathe new life into preserving black cemeteries,” by George Copeland Jr. and Thomas Jett, Virginia Commonwealth University
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
In a hole: Arizona official lack funds to find, secure at least 100,000 abandoned mines
Chris McCrory, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “1217,” by Jenny Roberts, Julie Christie and Sydney Schaefer, Temple University
– National Finalist: “The impact of illegal immigration: from the Mexican border to Salt Lake City,” by Kaitlyn Bancroft, Riley Waldman and Jillian Argento, Brigham Young University
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner
Cody Corrall, DePaul University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Lindenlink Editorial Board, Lindenwood University
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner
In This Corner
Jacob Gedetsis and Bryan Cereijo, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Safety in Numbers: Women find refuge through running groups,” by Jessica Spangler, Drake University
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner
After Michael’s Fury, An Angel Saves The Forgotten In A Florida Tent City
Mackenzie Behm, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Food Plight,” by NYCity News Service staff, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: “Activism in Argentina: Protest, prostitution, feminism and faith,” by Connor Perrett, Kat Tenbarge, Marianne Dodson and Nate Doughty, Ohio University
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner
The Ball State Daily News
Ball State University
– National Finalist: ElonNewsNetwork.com, Elon University
– National Finalist: theDP.com, University of Pennsylvania
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner
NYCity News Service
Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Visit website: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: The State Press, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: Catawba Calling, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
National Winner
The Wild is Closer Than It Appears
Tilly Marlatt, DePauw University
– National Finalist: “Helping with Cleanup After Record Storms,” by Lillian Donahue, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Rookie Rider,” by Jacob Granneman, Washington State University
Broadcast Feature Videography
National Winner
Operation Restoring Hope
Matt Lively, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Give Kids a Smile Day,” by Sara Erickson, Minnesota State University Moorhead
– National Finalist: “Mosquito Control,” by Amanda Kitch, Southeastern Louisiana University
Broadcast Sports Videography
National Winner
Rez Golf
Jake Trybuslki and Drake Dunaway, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “BUBA Baseball,” by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
– National Finalist: “Lions Basketball vs. LSU,” by Dylan Domangue, Southeastern Louisiana University
Online/Digital News Videography
National Winner
Breaking it Down: Partisan Gerrymandering
Katie Litwin, Penn State University
– National Finalist: “Boundary Waters mining battle,” by Charlie Siddons, University of St. Thomas
– National Finalist: “A video portrait of election day in Evanston,” by staff of The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
Online/Digital Sports Videography
National Winner
Lady Movin' Mavs leave legacy
Arianna Vedia, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Sights and faces of Fight Night 2018,” by Grace Pritchett and Michelle Hanks, Western Kentucky University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
National Winner
Florida Voices | Brad Kendell, Sailing Forward
Mackenzie Behm, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Restorative Flames: Igniting Oregon Forests,” by Delaney Young, University of Oregon
– National Finalist: “Rooted In El Caño,” by Nathan Klima, Matt Couch, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Podcasts
Podcasts
National Winner
Friends of the Promised Land
Alexander Richey and Alayna Clay, University of Alabama
– National Finalist: “Hate in America: Evolution of Hate,” by Storme Jones, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Elijah’s (W)hole Story: Faith and Fraud in Lemuria,” by Cat Schuknecht, University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism