Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Director of Communications and Marketing, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org


INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 2 with 2018 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 2 comprises Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 6 at the Region 2 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 2 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: DJ Durkin fired as Maryland’s football coach – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Finalist: DJ Durkin will be reinstated as Maryland’s football coach – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Rains from Tropical Storm Michael drench Elon – by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: At “Justice for Jordan” rally, UMD student groups clash over football support – by Jillian Atelsek, University of Maryland
Finalist: Former UMD AD Kevin Anderson intervened in sexual misconduct case involving football players – by Christine Condon, University of Maryland
Finalist: JMU Counseling Center adapts as more students seek treatment – by Thomas Robertson, James Madison University


General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: As Silent Sam is toppled, conversation around Confederate monuments continues – by Alex Hager and Emmanuel Morgan, Elon University
Finalist: Waiting for help – by Talia Wiener, College of William and Mary

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Despite mounting evidence, top boosters stand by Maryland football’s DJ Durkin – by Andy Kostka, University of Maryland
Finalist: Maryland football culture report – Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Flaws in Florida’s SunPass toll system – by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: Discovering David Dessler – by Sarah Smith and Meilan Solly, College of William and Mary
Finalist: The urge to unionize – by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: ‘Maryland has wrecked my life’: The story behind a $3 million racial discrimination lawsuit at UMD – by Jillian Atelsek, University of Maryland
Finalist: Meet the Democratic Socialist who ousted a top Republican from the House – by Brandon Celentano, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: ‘I feel humiliated’: UMD housekeepers say they’ve been rebuked for speaking Spanish – by Angela Roberts, University of Maryland

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Built to last: Unique design has helped Humpback Bridge span generations – by Gus Cross, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: ‘The Monster’ – Speaking out against Larry Nassar – by Lexi Sanders, High Point University
Finalist: Where the rubber meets the road – by Elly Cosgrove, Washington and Lee University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Max Foley-Keene, University of Maryland
Finalist: Shaun Jackson, Virginia Commonwealth University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: The team behind the team: Equipment manager – by Noah Fleischman, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: A series of life-threatening events didn’t halt J.C. Jackson’s NFL dreams – by Daniel Bernstein, University of Maryland

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Legacies and legends: Women’s basketball preps for match-up with UNC – by Jack Haley, Elon University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Zachary Joachim, Virginia Commonwealth University



Editorial Writing
Winner: The Diamondback Editorial Board, University of Maryland
Finalist: The GW Hatchet Editorial Board, The George Washington University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Commonwealth Times – by Staff of The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: The Diamondback – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Finalist: The Breeze – by Staff of The Breeze, James Madison University

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Virginia’s epidemic next door – by Caitlin Barbieri, Virginia Commonwealth University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Ink Magazine – by Staff of Ink Magazine, Virginia Commonwealth University



Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Protesters flock to Capitol Hill to protest Supreme Court nominee – by Margaret Wroblewski, The George Washington University
Finalist: At “Justice for Jordan” rally, UMD student groups clash over football support – by Jon Orbach, University of Maryland

Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Scenes from Tropical Storm Michael – by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Behind the racial discrimination lawsuit at UMD – by Julia Nikhinson and Elliot Scarangello, University of Maryland
Finalist: Amit Dadon speaks at the Vote for Change Rally – by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland
Finalist: Costa Rica: Investing in change for indigenous children – by Samira Tella, The George Washington University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Planting an oak sapling – by Stephanie Hays, Elon University
Finalist: Party on the Pavement – by Liam O’Connor, Elon University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Eva Shen, University of Maryland
Finalist: Steck Von, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Allison Verjinski, Virginia Commonwealth University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Enough is enough – by Shayla Bailey, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Raising red flags – by Erin Edgerton, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Gun control protest – by Erin Edgerton, Virginia Commonwealth University

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Confederate Memorial Day – by Stephanie Hays, Elon University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The Diamondback’s year in review – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Intersectionality – by Stephanie Hays, Elon University
Finalist: Ecological footprint – by Meghan Kimberling, Elon University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Testudo waves the Maryland flag – by Andi Wenck, University of Maryland
Finalist: Two forwards vied for the ball when GW took on Virginia – by Olivia Anderson, The George Washington University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Harlem Globetrotters kick off homecoming weekend with a bang – by Jessica Rapfogel, Elon University
Finalist: Bryanna Hames’ quest to be more than just a thrower – by Cory Weller, Elon University


Radio

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Carolina Connection – Feb. 10, 2018 – by Staff of Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina

Radio Feature
Winner: Underground predators: Technology helps scientists track some of the state’s most elusive species – by Megan Cain, University of North Carolina
Finalist: Spinning, playing and taping: Arts Everywhere takes over UNC – by Cole del Charco, University of North Carolina

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: The story behind room P071 – by Reem Hassan, The American University in Cairo

Radio News Reporting
Winner: After years of addiction, UNC students find a place to call home – by Jay Siebold, University of North Carolina
Finalist: Police issue warning after catalytic converter thefts – by Anna Overton, University of North Carolina

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Sweep sweep victory: Giving curling a try – by Kennedy Erdossy, University of North Carolina
Finalist: No players, no games – two local high schools cancel football season – by Jared Weber, University of North Carolina


Television

Television General News Reporting
Winner: UNC Campus Safety “Alert Carolina” system fails to make students feel safe – by Emily Wakeman, University of North Carolina
Finalist: US Senate preview – by Tyler Layne, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Family of extremely premature baby faces financial crisis – by Emily Wakeman, University of North Carolina

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: ‘Justice for Jordan’ rally – by Danielle Stein, University of Maryland
Finalist: Live election night coverage – by Staff of The Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: March on Washington – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Police swimming – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
Finalist: A ‘game-changing’ find: One family’s hidden story – by Payton Walker, University of North Carolina
Finalist: How animals impact our lives – by Grace Morris, Elon University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Survival – by Alia Haytham, Ahmed Zada, Laila Sherif Said and Nada Mawsouf, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: Despite the ocean rise on Hatteras Island, ‘we’re staying’ – by Hannah Lee, University of North Carolina
Finalist: Ellicott City special – by Staff of CNS-TV, University of Maryland

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: BUBA Baseball – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
Finalist: Peighton Stone – by Steven Dilsizian, University of Maryland
Finalist: Washington and Lee eSports grows – by Elly Cosgrove, Washington and Lee University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Elon Local News: Oct. 22, 2018 – by Staff of Elon Local News, Elon University
Finalist: Sports Xtra: October 12, 2018 – by Staff of Sports Xtra, University of North Carolina

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: VCU InSight – by Precious Banks, Tayla Faggart, Tyler Layne and Tai Wong, University of North Carolina

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Dozens of children in Virginia are fatally shot each year – by Kirby Farineau, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Virginia jails struggle to help mentally ill inmates – by Yasmine Jumaa and Irena Schunn, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Despite heavy redaction, surveillance videos provide insight into Jordan McNair’s finaln workout – by Andy Kostka and James Crabtree-Hannigan, University of Maryland

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Virginia communities, legislators breathe new life into preserving black cemeteries – by George Copeland Jr. and Thomas Jett, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: College Park re-Imagined – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Finalist: Mental health in the African-American community during the Trump era – by Kayla Irby, Howard University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: De-radicalization inside London prisons – by Paul LeBlanc, Elon University
Finalist: ‘We need this desperately’: Grad teaching assistants could get collective bargaining rights – by Angela Roberts, University of Maryland
Finalist: Field of dreams: Young farmers in Rockbridge – by Ellen Kanzinger, Maria Rachal and Faith Pinho, Washington and Lee University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: After Cliff Tucker died, a Maryland basketball alumni game helped his loved ones heal – by Andy Kostka, University of Maryland
Finalist: 911 records indicate medics didn’t recognize severity of Jordan McNair’s condition – by James Crabtree-Hannigan, University of Maryland


Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: Elon News Network – by Staff of Elon News Network, Elon University

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Catawba Calling – by Staff of CPJW, University of North Carolina
Finalist: Rockbridge Report – by Staff of The Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: W&L at a crossroads: Direction of diversity is not black & white – by Staff, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: The battery man – by Anton L. Delgado and Stephanie Hays, Elon University

Podcast
Winner: Elon News Network Podcast – by Alex Hager, Elon University

Videography

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: The health brigade – by Hanna Davison and Alex Kormann, University of North Carolina
Finalist: A fight for life – by Aubrey Patti and Darian Woehr, University of North Carolina

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Police swimming – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
Finalist: Underwater Halloween: Taking pumpkin carving to the deep – by Lauren Koenig, University of Maryland

Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Rooted in El Cano - by Nathan Klima and Matt Couch, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Finalist: A Natural Revolution - by Gabrielle Palacio and Alice Hudson, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: March on Washington – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
Finalist: Ellicott City: Why? – by Lauren Koenig, University of Maryland

Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: BUBA Baseball – by Alex Littlehales, University of Maryland
Finalist: Peighton Stone – by Steven Dilsizian, University of Maryland

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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