For immediate release
Contacts:
Lauren Rochester, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317-927-8000 ext. 210, lrochester@spj.org
Abby Henkel, SPJ Communications Manager, 317-927-8000 ext. 215, ahenkel@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists
is pleased to announce national winners of the 2011 Mark of Excellence Awards recognizing collegiate work published or broadcast during 2011. This year, student journalists submitted more than 4,000 entries.
National Mark of Excellence Award judges choose 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 SPJs 12 regional competitions. Each first-place regional winners advanced to the national competition.
First-place national winners are showcased on SPJs website. Click here to review the winners work.
For additional information on the Mark of Excellence awards, please contact Awards Coordinator Lauren Rochester at lrochester@spj.org.
2011 Mark of Excellence National Winners and Finalists
Four-year colleges-NewspapersBreaking News Reporting National Winner:
Students, residents feel tornado's effects - by Taylor Holland, Jonathan Reed, Kelsey Steinand and Hannah Mask, University of Alabama
National Finalist:
Sandusky charged with sex abuse - by Anna Orso, Pennsylvania State University
National Finalist:
SA president resigns amid scandal - by John Parnon and Zach Brooke, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
General News Reporting National Winner:
For those 'killed' by Social Security Administration error, life's hard - by Samantha Bryson, University of California, Berkeley
National Finalist:
Small-town residents saddened by prospect of post offices closing - by Sarah Hoffman, University of Missouri
National Finalist:
Kerksick series - by Kathleen Evans, University of Oklahoma
In-Depth Reporting National Winner:
Series on sexuality - by Precious Esie, Carl Harrison, Leslie Gamboni and Jamie Futral, Loyola University New Orleans
National Finalist:
Salmonella investigation - by Jeffrey Benzing, Esther French and Judah Ari Gross, University of Maryland
National Finalist: Domestic silence revisted by Alex Stuckey, Ohio University
Feature Writing National Winner:
The girl I killed - by Billie Loewen, University of Montana
National Finalist:
Back from Libya - by Devin Kelly, The University of California, Los Angeles
National Finalist:
Citizens for Justice - by Brad Racino, University of Missouri - Columbia
Sports Writing National Winner:
Knile Davis: Strength to carry on - by Jimmy Carter, University of Arkansas
National Finalist:
Growing into the spotlight: The inconceivable rise of Shawn Hunwick - by Everett Cook, University of Michigan
National Finalist:
Former walk-on waits for chance - by Zach Dillard, University of Georgia
Editorial Writing National Winner:
Lexi Belculfine and Jourdan Cole, Pennsylvania State University
National Finalist:
Tray Smith , University of Alabama
National Finalist: John Nero, Ohio University
General Column Writing National Winner:
Christopher Haxel , University of Maryland
National Finalist: Imani Jackson, Grambling State University
National Finalist: Kory Wood, Weber State University
Sports Column Writing National Winner:
Trey Scott, University of Texas at Austin
National Finalist:
Jeremy Schneider, University of Maryland
National Finalist:
Jesse Severson, Oregon State University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper National Winner:
The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
National Finalist: University Star, Texas State University
National Finalist: The State News, Michigan State University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper National Winner:
The Ithacan, Ithaca College
National Finalist: The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
National Finalist: No winner*
-MagazinesBest Student Magazine National Winner:
Brink Magazine, University of California, Berkeley
National Finalist: Curb Magazine, University of Wisconsin-Madison
National Finalist: 30 Under 30, University of Missouri
Nonfiction Magazine Article National Winner:
The secret life of mules - by Eric Holmberg, Caitie Carter and Mike Jenner, University of Missouri
National Finalist: Fear and ammo in a Texas suburb by Spike Johnson, University of North Texas
National Finalist: In an instant: How former Kent State basketball star Malika Willoughby lost everything by Joey Pompignano, Kent State University
-Art/GraphicsBreaking News Photography National Winner:
CSU students arrested in protest by Stefan Agregado, California State University, Long Beach
National Finalist: Gunshot by Nick Gast, University of Montana
National Finalist: Bash gone bad by Hunter Thompson, Colorado State University
General News Photography National Winner:
Denver shows its pride in style - by Rachel Fuenzalida, Metropolitan State College of Denver
National Finalist: Occupy by Andrew Kuhn, Central Michigan University
National Finalist: National Go Topless Day by Michelle Rattinger, George Washington University
Feature Photography National Winner:
Fenced in: Superfund refugees by Henry Taksier, University of Florida
National Finalist: Games fuse athletics, services by Richard Payson, University of Utah
National Finalist: Cosmopolitan cowboy by Jordan Stead, Western Washington University
Photo Illustration National Winner:
Caitlan Stem by Hunter Thompson, Colorado State University
National Finalist: Surviving suicide by Daniel Ethridge, Texas Christian University
National Finalist: Smashing good time by Jordan Stead, Western Washington University
Sports Photography National Winner:
Awestruck - by Josh Radtke, Michigan State University
National Finalist: Coach celebrates victory by Matt Kile, Missouri State University
National Finalist: Rolled over by Ramon Dompor, Rutgers University
Editorial Cartooning National Winner:
John Vestevich, Ferris State Univesrity
National Finalist: Dan Nacu, Virginia Commonwealth University
National Finalist:
Colin Tom, University of Georgia
-RadioRadio News Reporting National Winner:
Execution of Manuel Valle - by Steven Gallo, University of Florida
National Finalist:
Wildfire rebuilding - by Reshma Kirpalani, University of Texas at Austin
National Finalist:
Occupy LA coverage - by Kyle Tabuena-Frolli, University of Southern California
Radio Feature Reporting National Winner:
Who needs a guitar to be a rock star? - by Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley
National Finalist:
Students 9/11 memories by Michael Tomsic and Alletta Cooper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
National Finalist: No winner*
Radio In-depth Reporting National Winner:
Kentucky ag heavily dependent on migrant labor - by Cassidy Herrington, University of Kentucky
National Finalist: Minding the meters: The Huntington Municipal Parking Board by Leannda Carey, Marshall University
National Finalist:
The war on drugs - by Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley
Radio Sports Reporting National Winner:
Oh and one - by Paul Ofcharsky, King's College
National Finalist: The Cato-Shuler connection by Leannda Carey, Marshall University
National Finalist: WFTDA roller derby by Rebecca Fensholt, University of Kansas
Best All-Around Radio Newscast National Winner:
Louisiana Focus - by Bill Davie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
National Finalist:
Carolina Connection - by Alletta Cooper, Michael Tomsic, Rheema Khrais and Lydia Wilson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
National Finalist:
Annenberg Radio News - by staff, University of Southern California
-TelevisionTelevision Breaking News Reporting National Winner:
Tuscaloosa tornado - by Bradley Whittington, University of Alabama
National Finalist:
ACU bus wrecks while traveling to service project - by Farron Salley, Abilene Christian University
National Finalist:
Tornado thrashes shaw - by David Hodges, Elon University
Television General News Reporting National Winner:
Oil spill - by Gabe Giffin, Louisiana State University
National Finalist:
The Social Host Project: An in depth look at Long Island's Social Host Law - by Lauren Cioffi, Stony Brook University
National Finalist:
American border patrol - by Kylee Gauna, Arizona State University
Television Feature Reporting National Winner:
Leah Green Thumb: Student artist gardens on the go - by Caitlin Bradford, Abilene Christian University
National Finalist:
Mock disaster make-up - by Jenne Anderson, Brigham Young University
National Finalist:
Crescent City - by Hunter Holcombe and Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley
Television In-Depth Reporting National Winner:
Ka Nako - by Wandoo Makurdi, Florida A&M University
National Finalist:
Budget battle - by UWM PantherVision news staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
National Finalist:
The price of parking - by Brian Johnson, University of Missouri - Columbia
Television Sports Reporting National Winner:
Striking chords - by Jonah Javad, University of Missouri-Columbia
National Finalist:
Iconic fans - by Mo Isom, Louisiana State University
National Finalist:
Cost of bowls - by Justin Page, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Television News Photography National Winner:
Volunteers send care packages to marines - by Emily Spain, University of Missouri-Columbia
National Finalist:
A line in the sand: The story of two volunteers on the U.S.- Mexico border - by Dan Neligh, Arizona State University
National Finalist:
Deer Hunting - by Victoria Marzec, Michigan State University
Television Feature Photography National Winner:
Pumpkins fly through the air at Punkin' Chunkin' contest - by Bernie Riggs and Emily Foster, University of Montana
National Finalist:
Outdoor movie theater - by Justin Page, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
National Finalist:
Day and night, Santa Monica pier lights up lives of visitors - by Daily Bruin staff, University of California, Los Angeles
Television Sports Photography National Winner:
2nd annual Treasure State Shred Fest - by Maegan Simmons, University of Montana
National Finalist:
SEC championship game - by Troy Gaulden, Louisiana State University
National Finalist:
Haslett swim coach - by Jonathan McEmber, Michigan State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast National Winner:
Cronkite NewsWatch, Arizona State University
National Finalist:
The Centre County Report , Pennsylvania State University
National Finalist:
UWM PantherVision, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
-OnlineOnline News Reporting National Winner:
Student veterans - by Ileana Llorens, Kristin Kellogg and Rhonda Prast, University of Missouri
National Finalist:
24 hours at the border reveals region that defies stereotypes - by Cronkite News staff, Arizona State University
National Finalist:
Remembering 9/11 - by Jackie Smith, Adam Kaminski and Tyler Besh, Central Michigan University
Online Feature Reporting National Winner:
Salmonella lurks from farm to fork - by Jeffrey Benzing, Esther French, Judah Ari Gross and Robyne McCullough, News21, University of Maryland & Arizona State University
National Finalist:
In the action - by Sam Aune, Nick Ritenour, Jared Windler and Valerie Carnevale, Ball State University
National Finalist:
Lessons from the land: An organic farm teaches by example - by Sarah Cumming, Sewanee: the University of the South
Online In-Depth Reporting National Winner:
How safe is your food? - by News21 staff, Arizona State University & University of Maryland
National Finalist:
Kent's changing landscape: Redefining a college town - by Nathan Edwards, Kent State University
National Finalist: No winner*
Online Opinion and Commentary National Winner:
Vaughn Hillyard, Arizona State University
National Finalist:
Alex Klein, Yale University
National Finalist:
David Fink, Texas State University
Online Sports Reporting National Winner:
Wildcat basketball preview 2011-2012 - by North By Northwestern staff, Northwestern University
National Finalist:
Injured seniors provide leadership to SUU gymnastics team - by Carter Williams, Southern Utah University
National Finalist:
BU wrestling - by Reina Murphy and Marlee Johnson, Baker University
Best Affiliated Web Site National Winner:
Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota
National Finalist:
Iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
National Finalist:
The Lantern, The Ohio State University
Best Independent Online Student Publication National Winner:
Howard University News Service, Howard University
National Finalist:
Downtown Devil, Arizona State University
National Finalist:
Philadelpha Neighborhoods, Temple University
Two-year and community colleges -NewspapersBreaking News Reporting National Winner:
Senate: Armed service does not count as community service - by Jessica Keller, Northwest College
National Finalist: No winner*
National Finalist: No winner*
General News Reporting National Winner:
Teacher resigns - by Bethany Peterson, Tarrant County College
National Finalist: Tuition rises for fall 2012 semester by Rebecca Gross, SUNY Rockland Community College
National Finalist: Two articles about Idaho gun bill by Tala Wood, North Idaho College
In-Depth Reporting National Winner:
Student mothers embrace heavy load - by Deborah Cobb, Northwest College
National Finalist: Investigation into EducoSoft by Emanuel Bergmann, Tanya Flowers, Thomas Pumphrey and Kalifia Madden, Los Angeles City College
National Finalist: Prescription drug abuse by Daniela Rocha, Mercer County Community College
Feature Writing National Winner:
Leaving Las Vegas - by Cody Tucker, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist: Student survives by Karen Gavis, Tarrant County College
National Finalist: Soccer star Irene Calabria learned to play with the boys by Stephen Harrison, Mercer County Community College
Sports Writing National Winner:
An athletic dilemma: Cost versus accountability - by Kurt Oberreither and Spencer Gleason, St. Louis Community College - Meramec
National Finalist: Runaway train by Cody Tucker, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist: Winning the race of her life by Albert Fulcher, Ernesto Rivera and Serina Duarte, Southwestern College
Editorial Writing National Winner:
Tanya Flowers and Hyun Chung, Los Angeles City College
National Finalist: Nick Davison, College of DuPage
National Finalist: No winner*
General Column Writing National Winner:
Albert H. Fulcher, Southwestern College
National Finalist: Alyson Ann Cina, Bergen Community College
National Finalist: William Hebert, Laramie County Community College
Sports Column Writing National Winner:
Cody Tucker, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist: Drew Williams, Eric Poe and Marley Malenfant, Tarrant County College
National Finalist: No winner*
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper National Winner:
The Sun, Southwestern College
National Finalist: The Sentinel, North Idaho College
National Finalist: The Ranger, San Antonio College
-Art/GraphicsBreaking News Photography National Winner:
The walking dead - by William Hebert, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist: No winner*
National Finalist: No winner*
General News Photography National Winner:
Japan festival - by Hannah Hunsinger and Aaron Wagner, Johnson County Community College
National Finalist: Restaurant 230 by Jason Pomerantz, Mercer County Community College
National Finalist: Occupy Spokane by Gabe Green, North Idaho College
Feature Photography National Winner:
Lucha Vavoom - by Michael Yanow, Santa Monica College
National Finalist: Homemade Halloween by Michael House, Johnson County Community College
National Finalist: Parkour by Catherine Mullaney, North Idaho College
Photo Illustration National Winner:
Adderall - by Casey Holder, Tarrant County College
National Finalist: In Focus: National Depression Awareness Month by Hannah Hunsinger, Johnson County Community College
National Finalist: Arbor Vitae by Chris Johnson, College of DuPage
Sports Photography National Winner:
Rail jam wipeout - by Derek Oldham, Central Oregon Community College
National Finalist: SE flag football by David Reid, Tarrant County College
National Finalist: Shrugged off by Kat Boehle, Joliet Junior College
Editorial Cartooning National Winner:
Phillip Temple, Solano Community College
National Finalist: Tobey Veenstra, Central Oregon Community College
National Finalist: No winner*
-OnlineOnline News Reporting National Winner:
Schaffer named as next college president - by Will Hebert, Jeffrey Pallak, Courtney Tray and Amy Walker, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist:
Occupy Sacramento - by L.T. Clayton, Sacramento City College
National Finalist:
Coppola, Jordan named presidential finalists - by Bethany Peterson, Tarrant County College
Online In-Depth Reporting National Winner:
LCCC's master plan - by Will Hebert, Jeffrey Pallak, Susann Robbins and Katie Blaser, Laramie County Community College
National Finalist: No winner*
National Finalist: No winner*
Best Affiliated Website National Winner:
The Southwestern College Sun Online, Southwestern College
National Finalist:
The Collegian Online, Tarrant County College
National Finalist:
Prospectus News, Parkland College
* Mark of Excellence Awards honor the best in student journalism. Judges are not required to select first, second or third place winners.Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit
www.spj.org.
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