National Mark of Excellence Award winners are chosen from the first-place category winners in each of SPJ’s 12 regions, and the awards are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Lists of regional winners can be found on SPJ News.
SPJ will recognize first-place national winners at the Student Union event at Excellence in Journalism 2014 (EIJ14) in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 4 to 6.
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: Large schools have 10,000+ students and small have fewer than 10,000 students.
See the list below for details on national winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Awards Coordinator Chad Hosier at awards@spj.org and 317.920.4791. Please note that spelling and formatting reflect the information submitted during the awards-entry process.
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.
2013 Mark of Excellence Awards Winners
NEWSPAPER Breaking News Reporting (Large) National Winner: “Giffords urges lawmakers to 'be courageous' on gun violence measures” by Mary Shinn, Cronkite News Online, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm. National Finalist: “ACU student killed in accident” by Taylor Langston, The Optimist, Abilene Christian University National Finalist: “NCAA leaves door open for further sanction modifications” by John Stuetz, John McGonigal, The Daily Collegian, Pennsylvania State University
Breaking News Reporting (Small) National Winner: “The Search for the Boston Marathon Bombers” by news staff, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College National Finalist: “Moving forward” by Tierra Williams, The Gramblinite, Grambling State University National Finalist: “Presidential candidate comes to Columbia” by staff, The Columbia Chronicle, Columbia College Chicago
General News Reporting (Large) National Winner: “How bad is it? Perspectives on campus crime” by Kia Farhang, Nick Studenski and Bryna Godar, The Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: “Back home: Hearing loss prevalent among post-9/11 vets” by Kay Miller, The Denver Post, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm. National Finalist: “Ohio State's private presidential search” by Liz Young, The Lantern, Ohio State University
General News Reporting (Small) National Winner: “Latino health, faith and education in Oklahoma City” by Hannah Covington, The Oklahoman, Oral Roberts University National Finalist: “Sexual assault debate; Veitch talks polcy; Alleged rape reignites; Veitch reverses stance; Trainer” by staff, The Occidental Weekly, Occidental College National Finalist: “Putting passion into practice: Teach for America remains successful despite criticism” by Rebecca Iannucci, The Pendulum, Elon University
In-Depth Reporting (Large) National Winner: “The Heights of Fear” by Lisa Khoury, The Spectrum, University at Buffalo National Finalist: “In the Shadows: In Malawi, a stigmatized group seeks equal treatment” by Sonali Kohli and Blaine Ohigashi, UCLA Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles National Finalist: “Stem Cell series” by Chelsea Henderson, University Press, Lamar University
In-Depth Reporting (Small) National Winner: “RAs Technology Affected by Trustee Mandated 4 Million fund” by Holly McClellan, Zack Anderson and Mary Miller, Cedars, Cedarville University
Feature Writing (Large) National Winner: “A Home and Hope” by Millicent Smith, The Chattanooga Times Free Press, University of Tennessee College of Communication National Finalist: “Outing sexual violence disparities” by Branden Largent, The Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: “Kirkwood Father Tries To Find Meaning in Daughter's Death” by Allison Pohle, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, University of Missouri-Columbia
Feature Writing (Small) National Winner: “Punk Flock; Uncovering Chicago's Subculture of Eccentric Nomads” by Emily Ornberg and Michael Fischer, The Columbia Chronicle, Columbia College Chicago National Finalist: “Alumnus reports from front lines armed with paper, pen” by Nisha Hood, University Journal, Southern Utah University
Sports Writing (Large) National Winner: “107-2: Beyond the score” by Claire Wiseman, Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University National Finalist: “Andrew Copp: Off the gridiron, onto the ice” by Greg Garno, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan National Finalist: “Brothers Bernhardt” by Aaron Kasinitz, The Diamondback, University of Maryland, College Park
Sports Writing (Small) National Winner: “Ladies first draws larger crowds” by Macaela Bennett, Hillsdale Collegian, Hillsdale College National Finalist: “A mascot rises, a goalpost falls” by Morgan Krueger and Walker Womack, The Collegian, The University of Tulsa
Editorial Writing National Winner: Staff, The Maroon, Loyola University New Orleans National Finalist: JD Morris, The Daily Californian, University of California Berkeley National Finalist: Editorial staff, The Daily, University of Washington
General Column Writing (Large) National Winner: Brian Reinken, The Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: Chelsea Henderson, University Press, Lamar University National Finalist: Zane Womeldorph, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
General Column Writing (Small) National Winner: Bjorn Slater, The Mooring Mast, Pacific Lutheran University National Finalist: Diana Saverin, Yale Daily News, Yale College National Finalist: Taylor Shuck, The Baker Orange, Baker University
Sports Column Writing National Winner: Alec Shirkey, The Red & Black, University of Georgia National Finalist: Beau Baily, The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper National Winner: Yale Daily News, Yale University National Finalist: The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan National Finalist: UCLA Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper National Winner: The Pendulum, Elon University National Finalist: The Marquette Tribune, Marquette University National Finalist: The Sentinel, North Idaho College
MAGAZINE Non-Fiction Magazine Article National Winner: “A Broken Promise: Dowry Violence in India” by Varsha Ramakrishnan, Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health National Finalist: “No easy choice: How student survivors of sexual assault manage the maze of options before them” by Haley Goldberg, The Statement, University of Michigan National Finalist: “No Place to Hide” by Brett Berntsen, Montana Journalism Review, University of Montana School of Journalism
Best Student Magazine National Winner: Meek School of Journalism and New Media, University of Mississippi National Finalist: The Burr, Kent State University National Finalist: The Planet Magazine, Western Washington University
ART/GRAPHICS Breaking News Photography (Large) National Winner: “Activists hang out to protest 3M” by Ichigo Takikawa, The Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: “Now that's the ticket” by Joshua Bessex, The Daily of the University of Washington, University of Washington National Finalist: “Charges Dropped” by Thomas Graning, The Daily Mississippian, University of Mississippi
Breaking News Photography (Small) National Winner: “Tornadoes hit close to campus” by Kari Travis, The Echo/The Echo Online, Taylor University National Finalist: “Zero Gravity ride at Texas State Fair” by Daniel Ethridge, Image Magazine, Texas Christian University National Finalist: “Man charged with murder in double homicide” by Whitney Baum, University Journal, Southern Utah University
General News Photography (Large) National Winner: “Widow of West” by Matt Hellman, The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University National Finalist: “Same-sex marriage bills to be introduced” by Bridget Bennett, The Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: “ROTC training during spring 2013” by Suhaib Tawil, Iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
General News Photography (Small) National Winner: “Homeless, under 30 and invisible” by Sarah Williamson, Flagler College Gargoyle, Flagler College National Finalist: “Impact Welcomes Freshmen to Campus” by Grant Schol, The Bison, Harding University National Finalist: "Brownie Day" by Rick Shipley, The Collegian, The University of Tulsa
Feature Photography (Large) National Winner: “Revealing Voices: Portraits of the LGBT community in Malawi” by Blaine Ohigashi, UCLA Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles National Finalist: “The Modern Muse” by Kelly Smith, Distraction, University of Miami National Finalist: “Medalist” by Justin Wan, The State News, Michigan State University
Feature Photography (Small) National Winner: “Gloves on, fists up” by Timothy P. Riethmiller and Kari Travis, The Echo, Taylor University National Finalist: “Bittersweet, No Regrets” by Matthew Eisenberg, Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network, Quinnipiac University National Finalist: “Pool Day” by Al Drago, The News & Observer, Elon University
Photo Illustration (Large) National Winner: “Think Before You Ink!” by Vicky Valdovinos and Seth Lonborg, The Observer, Central Washington University National Finalist: “Girl, Undocumented” Adam Day, Jerk Magazine, Syracuse University
Photo Illustration (Small) National Winner: “Breaking the bank” by Al Drago, The Pendulum, Elon University National Finalist: “Happy Trails” by Daniel Herring and Kasey M. Orr, Wingspan, Laramie County Community College National Finalist: “This is Spring Sing” by Grant Schol, The Bison, Harding University
Sports Photography (Large) National Winner: “Reliving the WAC” by David Reid, The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington National Finalist: “Piling On” by Brian Smith, Daily Kent Stater, Kent State University National Finalist: “USC hands Utah first conference loss” by Brent Uberty, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Sports Photography (Small) National Winner: “Soccer goalie” by Andro Palting, The Tempest, Solano Community College National Finalist: “Robertson celebrates” by David Kennedy, The Collegian, The University of Tulsa National Finalist: “Cameron Crazies” by Al Drago, The Pendulum, Elon University
Editorial Cartooning National Winner: John Vestevich, Ferris State Torch, Ferris State University National Finalist: Dan Nacu, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University National Finalist: Michael Beckom, The Index-Journal, Savannah College of Art and Design
RADIO Radio News Reporting National Winner: “North Carolina a leading state for human trafficking” by Mark Haywood, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Radio Feature National Winner: “Bird-cams aim to explain ‘peacocking’” by Daniel Lane, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Radio In-Depth Reporting National Winner: “Jo Ann Gora Retires” by Cameron Ridle, Lisa Ryan, Danielle Ortiz and the WCRD News Team, WCRD News, Ball State University National Finalist: “Getting ready for rising seas in the Bay Area” by Aaron Mendelson, KALW, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism National Finalist: “Eyes on the Street: Seeking Justice and Pressuring Freedoms” by Connor Ryan, WFUV, Fordham University
Radio Sports Reporting National Winner: “Football Concussions” by Stephanie Marroquin, KCSN-FM, California State University-Northridge National Finalist: “Todd Thomas” by Tim VanDuyne, 103.3 WZND Fuzed Radio, Illinois State University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast National Winner: Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill National Finalist: WRKC, King's College National Finalist: KRVS-FM, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
TELEVISION Television Breaking News Reporting National Winner: “New Jersey Snow Storm” by Kristina Zverjako, Cronkite NewsWatch, Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication National Finalist: “Mirror Lake Monday” by Chelsea Spears, The Lantern, Ohio State University National Finalist: “Boston Marathon bombings” by staff, BU News Service, BUTV, Boston University
Television General News Reporting National Winner: “Cell Phone Videos And The Faces Behind The Camera” by Omar Jimenez, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University National Finalist: “Hikers React to Canyon Dangers” by Raishad Hardnett, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California National Finalist: “Forgotten First Responders” by Justin Voda, OUTV, University of Oklahoma
Television Feature Reporting National Winner: “Renaissance Man” by Julia Weaver, UMTV, University of Maryland National Finalist: “Crazy Deli” by Jessica Paris, Good Day DePaul, DePaul University National Finalist: “Nebraska's first male color guard member lives his dream” by Jenna Jaynes, Time-Warner Educational Access Channel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Television In-Depth Reporting National Winner: “Not Even a Number” by Kathryn Sotolongo and Nick Swyter, University of Miami Television, University of Miami National Finalist: “School Shooting Safety: Act of Malpractice?” by staff, UWM PantherVision, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee National Finalist: “Oklahoma City University's Clery Act violations” by Madi Alexander and Hailey Holloway, OCU-TV, Oklahoma City University
Television Sports Reporting National Winner: “Florence Coach” by Robby Baker, Cronkite NewsWatch, Arizona State University National Finalist: “Small Wideouts with Big Results” by Nathan Canniff-Kuhn, Carolina News, University of South Carolina National Finalist: “LSU Pitching Coach” by Ryan Baniewicz, LSU Tiger TV, Louisiana State University
Television News and Feature Photography National Winner: “Larger than Life” by Louie Dane, ViewFinder - UMTV, University of Maryland National Finalist: “Bellefonte Mansion” by Caroline Goggin, Centre County Report / ComMedia, Pennsylvania State University / College of Comm. National Finalist: “Mechanics Competition” by Stian Michalsen, Campus News, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Television Sports Photography National Winner: “WVU Gymnastics Success” by Mike Ploger, WVU News, West Virginia University National Finalist: “NDSU Equestrian Club” by Stian Michalsen, Campus News, Minnesota State University Moorhead National Finalist: “Cost of Recruiting, Part 1” by Janelle Davis, Sports Extra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Best All-Around Television Newscast National Winner: “Maryland Newsline” by staff, CNS-TV, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park National Finalist: “Brooklyn College Newscast 3” by Anthony Tart, Michael Gomez, Nikeshia Johnson and staff, BCAT-Television Network, Brooklyn College National Finalist: “Northwestern News Report: 2013 Chicago Show” by Sharon Yoo, Allyson Byers, William Robinson-Smith and Sally Zhang, Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
ONLINE Online News Reporting National Winner: “Ex-UCF Student Planned Wider Attack On Students, Officials Believe” by Jacob Sadowsky, KnightNews.com, University of Central Florida National Finalist: “Schools Out: CPS Closes 50 Chicago Schools” by Joe Ruppel, Josclynn Brandon, Calvin Hahn and Angelica Robinson, The Red Line Project, DePaul University
Online Feature Reporting National Winner: livinggalapagos.org by staff, Living Galapagos, University of North Carolina National Finalist: “Matters of Faith” by staff, VoxMagazine.com, Missouri School of Journalism National Finalist: “The end of the Waffle House” by Jessica Contrera, Emma Grdina and Anna Teeter, Indiana Daily Student - idsnews.com, Indiana University
Online In-Depth Reporting National Winner: “Along the Route of the Whale” by faculty advisor Carol Ann Bassett and eight students, Route of the Whale, University of Oregon National Finalist: “Hot Spots” by staff, The Medill Justice Project, Northwestern University National Finalist: “Back Home: The Failures” by staff, News21.com, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm.
Online Sports Reporting National Winner: “Combating concussions in high school sports” by Sean Peick, Cronkite News, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm. National Finalist: “Chicago Marathon Coverage” by Chicago Sidelines Staff, Chicago Sidelines, DePaul University National Finalist: “The Other Redskins” by Kelyn Soong, Sean Henderson and Angela Wong, Capital News Service, University of Maryland
Online Opinion & Commentary National Winner: Hannah Bleau, Gargoyle, Flagler College National Finalist: Matthew Kovac, Daily Northwestern, Protest and Chicago Innocence Project, Northwestern University National Finalist: Alix Landriault, Chris Vasser and Jana King, lsureveille.com, Louisiana State University
Best Use of Multimedia National Winner: “Stepping Through” by Daniel Roth, The Crimson White, The University of Alabama National Finalist: "What's at Risk: Sea Level Rise in Maryland" by staff, Capital News Service, Philip Merrill College of Journalism National Finalist: “Hop to Sip” by Hannah Glennon, Hunter Thompson and Corinne Winthrop, Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation, Colorado State University
Best Affiliated Website National Winner: mndaily.com, Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota National Finalist: Michigandaily.com, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan National Finalist: lsureveille.com, The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University
Best Independent Online Student Publication National Winner: NYCity News Service, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism National Finalist: Downtown Devil, Arizona State University National Finalist: Grand Central Magazine, Central Michigan University
Best Digital-Only Student Publication National Winner: Vox iPad app, Missouri School of Journalism National Finalist: Capital News Service, University of Maryland National Finalist: The Red Line Project, DePaul University
