Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Isaac Taylor, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, itaylor@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2018 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. Honorees received award certificates this weekend at the Region 4 Conference. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism conference in San Antonio.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 4 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Matthew Kent via email or phone at 317-920-4788.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Alert lifted: Shots fired on UC’s campus by Staff of The News Record, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Priest sentenced to 12 years in prison for three counts of sexual battery – by Ellen Wagner and Logan Moore, Ohio University
Finalist: Pedestrian death – by Douglas Soule, Joe Severino and Jordyn Johnson, West Virginia University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Con students hold Sexual Assault Awareness Month rally by Emma Selmon, Baldwin Wallace University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Former Miami professor indicted on illicit sexual conduct; disciplined by university before – by Ceili Doyle, Miami University of Ohio
Finalist: Students hurting from Pi Kappa Alpha members’ social media posts – by Brionna Scebbi, Bowling Green State University
Finalist: Words Matter: The reality of Muslim-Americans – by Maia Anderson and Madeline Mitchell, Miami University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: ‘Bridging’ the gap – by Breanna Beers, Cedarville University
Finalist: LASA stopped by Border Patrol – by Olivia Shackleton, John Carroll University
Finalist: Community opposition puts plans for new MCS&E building on hold – by Amber Bills, Baldwin Wallace University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Fifteen years without closure – by Kirby Davis, Miami University
Finalist: Cancer in college – by Sheridan Hendrix, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Soaring subsidies: UC’s four-year athletic deficit up to nearly $102 million – by David Wysong and Zach Edwards, University of Cincinnati

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: The global refugee crisis – by Alex Hentschel, Breanna Beers, Zach Krauss and Daniel Garcia, Cedarville University
Finalist: Soybean tariff effects in Hillsdale County – by Nicole Ault, Hillsdale College
Finalist: Analysis: Gun violence in the United States – by Breanna Beers and Alex Hentschel, Cedarville University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Extinguishing the wildlands’ fires: A look into Wayne National Forest wildland firefighters – by Ashton Nichols, Ohio University
Finalist: The crouton kid – by Emily Dattilo, Miami University
Finalist: Former Miami trustee reflects on term – by Julia Arwine, Miami University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Super-Fly struggles – by Callahan Jones, Cedarville University
Finalist: “Seagull” review – by Mark Naida, Hillsdale College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: All jokes aside – by Seth Shanley, Rick Mulvey and Andrew Muller, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Opinion columns – by Andrew Atkins, Kent State University
Finalist: Lilly and me: Vol. 2 – by Devon Shuman, Miami University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Just sayin’ – by Alex Hentschel, Cedarville University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: BJ Duling: Meet the high-flying freshman with style on and off the court – by Cameron Hoover, Kent State University
Finalist: Forever in Section 7A: Ryan Pedon’s role as assistant coach allows father to ‘die a happy man’ – by Edward Sutelan, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Mountaineers love beer – by Douglas Soule, West Virginia University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Career-ending injury doesn’t hinder Bain’s legacy – by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
Finalist: Lord twins excel on and off the field – by Joshua Stevens, Cedarville University
Finalist: Ellingson sets record – by Katherine Scheu, Hillsdale College

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Sports column writing – by Kyle Kelly, John Carroll University
Finalist: Urban Meyer columns – by Wyatt Crosher and Edward Sutelan, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Interviews with collegiate sports editors – by John Lowe, West Virginia University

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Post editorials – by Staff of The Post, Ohio University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Post – by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: The Exponent by Staff, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: The Lantern by Staff, University of Cincinnati

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: The ‘best years of your life’ can actually be the loneliest - by Valerie Royzman, Kent State University
Finalist: Polarizing views – by Megan Ayscue, Kent State University
Finalist: The Champion Standard – by Audrey Davis, Miami University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: UP Magazine - by Staff, Miami University
Finalist: The Burr Magazine by Staff, Kent State University

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Open-carry walk at Kent State – by Carter Adams, Kent State University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Relief from conflict: Boy wounded in Gaza finds caring community in Ohio – by Nathaniel Bailey, Kent State University
Finalist: A madhouse canvas – by Sophia Adornetto and Richa Sheth, Kent State University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Getting started weekend – by Lydia Wolterman, Cedarville University
Finalist: Pause for paws – by Emily Sulka, Cedarville University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Joe Biden with students – by Casey Cascaldo, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Students march Uptown, bringing awareness to recent slew of sexual assaults – by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Hazing – by Dani Watts, Kent State University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Kyle Snyder centerpiece – by Jack Westerheide, The Ohio State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Men’s soccer team defeats Findley at home opener – by Bill Woods, California University of Pennsylvania

Radio

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Newscenter 88 – by Makaylah Wheeler, Adam Rogers, Nick Verzolini and Spencer DuPuis, Marshall University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Marshall Football senior day – by Nick Verzolini, Marshall University
Finalist: Malik Thompson feature – by Savannah Matney, Marshall University
Finalist: Men’s basketball prepares for the big dance – by Spencer DuPuis, Marshall University

Television

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Kent police report sexual assault on Holly Drive by Anna Huntsman, Kent State University
Finalist: March for our Lives’ movement – by Noelle Forde, West Virginia University
Finalist: He should have stuck around – by Michael Epps, Michigan State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Tree of Life Synagogue: Social media – by Regan Blaha, West Virginia University
Finalist: Midterm election: Absentee ballot postage issue – by Anna Huntsman, Kent State University
Finalist: Michigan State’s March for Change – by Ryan Cole, Michigan State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Between painted walls and power plant smoke stacks – by Kelly Sheridan, Michigan State University
Finalist: Hackathon – lack of diversity – by Bri Clark, West Virginia University
Finalist: The culture of gymnastics and MSU – by Caitlin DeLuca, Michigan State University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Climate assessment strikes chord within Michigan farmers – by Ruta Ulcinaite and Tierra Riddick, Michigan State University
Finalist: It’s gonna end up in the courts and I think they will lose – by Tony Black and Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
Finalist: Pedestrian crosswalk death – by Caroline Foreback, West Virginia University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Title IX and its evolution at WVU – by Julia Mellett, West Virginia University
Finalist: Olympic gold medalist profile – Ginny Thrasher – by Kendall Lewis, West Virginia University
Finalist: Synchronized figure skating – by Ben Murray, West Virginia University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Election 2018: A nation divided – by Meg Weissend, West Virginia University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Gun control: A nation divided – Macy Senge, West Virginia University

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Algal blooms in the Great Lakes: Investigating efforts to protect and preserve water quality – by Kurt Williams and Andrew Blok, Michigan State University
Finalist: Short-term overdoses lead to long-term health effects – by Julie Ciotola, Ohio University
Finalist: Is the city of Athens silencing those speaking about sexual assault? – by Connor Perrett, Ohio University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Finding faith — somewhere else – by Rachael Beardsley, Ohio University
Finalist: We are not hidden: Race in Cuba – by Esohe Osabuohien, University of Michigan

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Athens County Public Libraries serve as community centers despite budget cuts – by Connor Perrett, Ohio University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Cleveland Theater reviews – by Gwendolyn Kochur, Cleveland State University

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The News Record – by Staff, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: The Post – by Staff, Ohio University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Activism in Argentina: Protest, prostitution, feminism and faith – by Connor Perrett, Kat Tenbarge, Marianne Dodson and Nate Doughty
Finalist: Your Status | A video series about relationships – by Arthur Newberry and Goirick Ongon Das, Miami University

Podcast
Winner: Behind the brick – Episode one: Hallmates – by Julia Plant and Ceili Doyle, Miami University of Ohio
Finalist: Classroom concert: Colly – by Austin Creel and Sam Adkins, Marshall University
Finalist: The third chair: “TBDBITL” – by Jack Long, The Ohio State University


Videography

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Working with my hands – by Chloe Kiple, Michigan State University
Finalist: Choice or disease? – by Christine Kanerva, Michigan State University
Finalist: The recycling bins look like trash bins – by Chloe Kiple, Michigan State University

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Snapchat filters are being brought to life – by Deja Green, Michigan State University
Finalist: Mother with dementia – by Treasure Roberts, Michigan State University
Finalist: It’s every kid’s dream – by Michael Epps, Michigan State University

Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: There’s a height difference – by Michael Epps, Michigan State University
Finalist: A senior send-off – by Ryan Cole, Michigan State University


Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: HERSTORY: Minority representation – by Abby Grisez, Connor Perrett and Marianne Dodson, Ohio University
Finalist: Vote Ohio – by Ben Peters, Nate Doughty and Sarah Horne, Ohio University
Finalist: Cal U students gear up and give back at ‘Big Event’ 2018 – by Mari Boyle, California University of Pennsylvania

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Open carry walk comes to Ohio State’s campus – by Joe Matts, The Ohio State University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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