Contacts:

Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Ashlynn Neumeyer, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 3 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 3 comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

Region 3’s conference is scheduled for Oct. 24. SPJ Regional Conferences originally scheduled for the spring have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail. National winners will be notified in the late spring.

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 3 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. New MOE categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.

Newspapers

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Dean of students resigns after pictures of past tweets surface - by Rebecca Griesbach, Jessa Reid Bolling and Keely Brewer, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Trump’s first visit to an HBCU stirs controversy – by Bleu Bell, Florida A&M University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Finalist: Berry student arrested for multiple counts of break-ins and vandalism – by Claire Voltarel, Berry College

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Series on diversity at the University of Georgia – by Anila Yoganathan, University of Georgia
Finalist: Defying the stigma: Protesters march to end sexual assault on campus – by Rebecca Griesbach, The University of Alabama

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Florida Tech fails to acknowledge reports of rape required under federal law – by Emily Walker, Olivia McKelvey and Kevin Boodoosingh, Florida Institute of Technology

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Chris Robison special issue – by Cameren Boatner and Kristen Grau, Florida Atlantic University
Finalist: Ethical concerns surround candidate for UA Student Media director position – by Jessa Reid Bolling, Savannah Bullard, Rebecca Griesbach and Ben Stansell, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Greek life office investigation – by Hunter Riggall, Spencer Donovan and Savannah Sicurella, University of Georgia

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Teaching the truth: ‘Hallowed Grounds’ displays history of slavery – by Jessa Reid Bolling, The University of Alabama
Finalist: ‘Shaker Skirt Guy’ seeks successor to carry legacy – by Savannah Bullard, The University of Alabama

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Finalist: The Berry water supply: Watering down the filtration process – by Elisabeth Martin and Jamison Guice, Berry College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Art that’s aged poorly – by Adesola Thomas, Angela Choksi and Noah Whitfield, Emory University

Sports Column Writing
Finalist: Callahan’s Corner – by Ryan Callahan, Emory University
Finalist: Kai’Chien Chisholm, Florida International University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Haylie McCleney gets her chance on softball’s biggest stage – by James Benedetto, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Dylan Moses poised to deliver on immense potential – by James Ogletree, The University of Alabama

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: A full blooded trojan: What it takes; Camels sent packing; Trojans fall to Coastal in heartbreaker – by Scott Shelton, Troy University
Finalist: Braves baseball in Rome for at least seven more years – by Joshua Mabry, Berry College

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Finalist: The Crimson White Editorial Board, The University of Alabama

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Red & Black - by Staff, University of Georgia
Finalist: The Crimson White - by Staff, The University of Alabama
Finalist: The Emory Wheel - by Staff, Emory University

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Before the magic city - by Elisa Baena, University of Miami
Finalist: From hell and back – by Camille Studebaker, The University of Alabama
Finalist: What it means to be a queen – by Irene Richardson, The University of Alabama

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Alice Magazine - by Staff of Alice Magazine, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Distraction Magazine Winter 2019 - by Staff of Distraction Magazine, University of Miami
Finalist: SCAN Magazine – by Staff of SCAN Magazine, SCAD Atlanta

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Alabama students march to demand more diversity and inclusiveness on campus – by Keely Brewer, The University of Alabama

Data Visualization
Finalist: In the sleep cycle – by Roberta Nicastro, SCAD Atlanta

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Spring cleaning: Student life cycle, terms and conditions – by Abigail Nicholson, Troy University
Finalist: Goldie & Clark! – by Nicholas Coker, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Cryin Syrin – by A’Neshia Turner, The University of Alabama

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Alex Liscio feature photo series – by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University
Finalist: Euphoric – by Kristian Del Rosario, University of Miami

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Dreams of electric sheep – by Staff, SCAD Atlanta
Finalist: Uncharted expeditions – by Staff, SCAD Atlanta

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students participate in national climate strike – by Priyam Mazumdar, Emory University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Celestial standards – by Gianna Sanchez, Lauren Maingot, Jacqueline Dubois and Gabby Rosenbloom, University of Miami
Finalist: Alex Liscio photo illustration – by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Alternate personas – by Tyler Judson, SCAD Atlanta
Finalist: Nightmares becoming reality – by Iara Faria, SCAD Atlanta

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: L-S-Oops – by Hannah Saad, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Tyler Libscomb hits out of the sand – by Hannah Saad, The University of Alabama
Finalist: Alex Liscio sports photography – by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Chasing a loose ball – by Pawan Khanal, Troy University

Radio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Michael: One year later – by Nicole Rogers, University of Florida
Finalist: A new statue for civil rights icon Viola Liuzzo – by Jason Snyder, Troy University
Finalist: FSU international bazaar – by Nathan Vison, Florida A&M University

Radio Feature
Winner: The Fourth of July is not for me – by Octavius Ausbon, Troy University
Finalist: Local hot sauce makers use flavors from their cultures – by Gerard Albert III, Florida International University
Finalist: Petty celebration – by Taylor Levesque, University of Florida

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: More students are starting businesses before they graduate – by Jason Snyder, Troy University
Finalist: Student veterans struggle the most with access to childcare – by Octavius Ausbon, Troy University
Finalist: Acorn clinic – by Skyler Lebron, University of Florida

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Mr. Two-Bits – by Skyler Lebron, University of Florida

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: 7:45 a.m. WUFT Newscast – by Henry Coburn and Joe Hastings, University of Florida


Television

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Troy tornado – by Brady Talbert, Troy University
Finalist: VP Pence visits Columbia – by Brooke Rakowski, University of South Carolina
Finalist: President Trump visits Benedict College – by Dara Khaalid, University of South Carolina

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Hammett Bowen: A hero’s legacy – by Quan McWil, University of Florida
Finalist: Creating a new normal – by Hasley Pitman, University of Florida
Finalist: Rome streets – by Brady Talbert, Troy University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: CSI camp – by Quan McWil, University of Florida
Finalist: Zoe’s dolls – by Madison Brown, University of Miami
Finalist: Women street signs – by Elena Barilla, University of South Carolina

Television In-Depth Reporting
Finalist: Life in cancer alley – by Meredith Sheldon, University of Florida

Television Sports Reporting
Finalist: Controversial referee calls – by Natalie Chuck, University of South Carolina
Finalist: Making history at NASCAR – by Callista Brown, University of South Carolina

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: WUFT News First at Five – by Staff of WUFT News, University of Florida
Finalist: UMTV NewsVision: MSD massacre one year later – by Tommy Fletcher, Justin Stevens, Rebekah Chung and Benjamin Ezzy, University of Miami

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: After the eye – by Staff of WUFT News, University of Florida
Finalist: UMTV Special Focus: Hitting home – by David Perez, Josh White, Amanda Fuentes and Gianna Sanchez, University of Miami

Online

Online News Reporting
Finalist: Anti-abortion group’s graphic images met with counter-protest at UGA – by Lorna Ramage, Jacqueline GaNun, Kathryn Skeean and Julia Garner, University of Georgia

Online Feature Reporting
Finalist: The subtle art of knowing when to give a f**k, according to the DNC’s finance chair Chris Korge – by Isabella Vaccaro, University of Miami
Finalist: The riverkeeper: Saving St. Augustine’s Matanzas waterways – by Jared Olson, Flagler College

Online Sports Reporting
Finalist: Jaguars head to regional final with improbable OT win over #17 USC Aiken, 93-89 – by Leeroy Francis, Augusta University

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Crimson White – by Staff of The Crimson White, University of Alabama

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Viking Fusion – by Staff of Viking Fusion, Berry College

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Three Waffle Houses, two bros, one night – by Noah Syverson, Berry College
Finalist: ‘Nuuly’ clothing rental review from a fellow fashionista – by Natalie Abatemarco, University of Miami


Podcast

Podcast
Winner: The Lead Podcast – by Charlotte Norsworthy, University of Georgia
Finalist: Stephen Ross, Tank for Tua and the current state of the Miami Dolphins – by Kai’Chien Chisholm, Florida International University


Videography

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Creating a new normal – by Hasley Pitman, University of Florida
Finalist: Apalachicola oyster industry reborn – by Hasley Pitman, University of Florida
Finalist: Battle of Aiken – by Brooke Rakowski, University of South Carolina

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: CSI Camp – by Quan McWil, University of Florida

Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: South Florida Access goes from Hollywood Hard Rock to the Lighthouse of Broward – by Jay Valle, Monica Lebro and Andrea Igliozzi, Florida International 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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