FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2015

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317.920.4791, awards@spj.org
Taylor Carlier, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317.920.4785, tcarlier@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the 2014 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 4. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of March 21 at the Region 4 Spring Conference in Athens, Ohio. First-place winners will move on to the national MOE competition among category winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2015 (EIJ15) in Orlando, Florida, Sept. 18 to 20.

Entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries they felt were outstanding work worthy of such an 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 at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

See the list below for details on the Region 4 winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Awards Coordinator Abbi Martzall: awards@spj.org and 317.920.4791.

Note: The list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award-entry process.

ART/GRAPHICS
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Capito elected first female senator to represent West Virginia - by Lexi Browning, Marshall University
Finalist: Cincinnati protests for Ferguson - by Madison Schmidt, Emily Begley, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Healing service - by Chelsae Ketchum, Kent State University

Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Silent witness - by Karleigh Santry, Slippery Rock University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Unbreakable bond - by Leah Klafczynski, Kent State University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Moonlight madness - by Jillian Philyaw, Cedarville University
Finalist: Columbus Day protesters - by Matt Nemeth, Point Park University
Finalist: Pie-eating contest - by Tianle Li, Cedarville University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Grand Haven community holds candlelight vigil for Trevor Howard - by Julie Angell, Michigan State University
Finalist: Combat water survival - by Chelsae Ketchum, Kent State University
Finalist: Healing Field, Sept. 11, 2014 - by Lexi Browning, Marshall University

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: African choir - by Jillian Philyaw, Cedarville University
Finalist: The ‘Frosty Frolic’ river romp - by Matt Kaminski, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Hashtags to tweets, students launch grassroots 'CalUProud' social media campaign - by Matt Kaminski, California University of Pennsylvania

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Spirited pumpkins - by Madison Schmidt, Emily Begley, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Climb the mountain - by Haley Kluge, Michigan State University
Finalist: Jon Horford - by Allison Farrand, University of Michigan

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Hurdle - by Mark Batke, Ohio State University
Finalist: Tangled up - by Rachael Le Goubin, Kent State University
Finalist: Dunked - by Allison Farrand, University of Michigan

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Dropped ball - by Rebecca Dietrich, Slippery Rock University
Finalist: Big dunk - by Jillian Philyaw, Cedarville University
Finalist: PSAC hamps - by Alex Mowrey, Slippery Rock University

MAGAZINES
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Backdrop Magazine - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: Southeast Ohio Magazine - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: Fusion Magazine - by Brittany Rees, Editor Shelby Nicholson, Art Director Kelli Fitzpatrick, Managing Editor, Kent State University School of Journalism

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Drawn together - by Jacob DeSmit, Ohio University
Finalist: Pizza makes the man - by Chris Dobstaff, Ohio University
Finalist: Don't sweat the small things - by Carley Hull, Kent State University

NEWSPAPERS
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The State News - by Staff, Michigan State University
Finalist: The Post - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: The Michigan Daily - by The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The University of Toledo Newspaper - by Staff, The University of Toledo
Finalist: The News Record - by The News Record staff, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: The Yellow Jacket - by Nick Farrell & Yellow Jacket Staff, Waynesburg University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Union in flames - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: Feds probe MSU for sexual assault misconduct - by Olivia Dimmer, Michigan State University
Finalist: President named: Schlissel, Brown provost, to succeed Coleman in July - by Peter Shahin, Jennifer Calfas, Sam Gringlas, University of Michigan

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Third student-athlete dismissed after new sexual assault investigation - by Abbey Nickel, The University of Findlay

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Parthenon staff editorials - by The Parthenon editorial staff, Marshall University
Finalist: The Post editorials - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: Editorial writing - by Staff, The University of Toledo

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: What is being Black at the University? - by Will Greenberg, University of Michigan
Finalist: #Anonymity - by Meryl Gottlieb, Ohio University
Finalist: Beauty over brains: Drunkorexia puts students in medical danger - by Olivia Braude, Miami University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: When life gets rough, any help welcomed - by Josh Herman, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Shelters making pet adoption too dog gone hard - by Taylor Brown, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: New generation. New perspective. - by Kari Morris, Cedarville University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Lean in further - by Jessica Ensley, Ohio University
Finalist: Columns by Danielle Seamon - by Danielle Seamon, Ohio State University
Finalist: Columns by Michele Theodore - by Michele Theodore, Ohio State University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Higl's Squiggles - by Alexandra Higl, John Carroll University
Finalist: Opinions by Taylor Brown - by Taylor Brown, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Cup of Joe - by Joe Ginley, John Carroll University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Three hours of fear - by Staff, Kent State University
Finalist: Performance reviews for Ohio State employees - by Liz Young, Ohio State University
Finalist: The Michigan Daily's coverage of the Brendan Gibbons situation - by Matt Slovin Adam Rubenfire, University of Michigan

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Restaurant ministry closes after minimum wage hike - by Natalie deMacedo, Hillsdale College
Finalist: Detroit Institute of Arts aims for independence - by Micah Meadowcroft, Hillsdale College
Finalist: Wading through the storm - by Alexandra Higl, John Carroll University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A look at Ohio State’s administration - by Kayla Byler, Caitlin Essig, Kristen Mitchell and Liz Young, Ohio State University
Finalist: Booze, books and the balance - by Madison Curtis, Michele Theodore, Chelsea Spears and Liz Young, Ohio State University
Finalist: The perks of SGA - by Jacob Bojesson, West Virginia University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The costs of accreditation - by Lauren Eissler, Emily Finlay, Madison Troyer, Cedarville University
Finalist: Inauguration XV - by Yellow Jacket Staff and Nick Farrell, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Is grad school worth it? - by Staff, Cedarville University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Sports column writing - by Greg Garno, University of Michigan
Finalist: Sports column writing - by Joshua Miller, Lauren Kremer, Phil Didion, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Sports column writing - by Colin Hanner, Ohio University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: In their own words: Former Rockets talk about their experiences with the I-75 rivalry - by Blake Bacho, The University of Toledo
Finalist: Tough love: As women step up to mixed martial arts, empowers sister - by Adrian Hedden, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Herd scores late touchdown to win first C-USA title - by Shannon Stowers, Marshall University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Two sports, one goal - by Jon Gallardo, Cedarville University
Finalist: They call him "Das Boot", a profile on Cal U Punter Andrew Cerett - by Matt Hagy, California University of Pennsylvania

ONLINE
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner:The News Record - by The News Record Staff, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: The Michigan Daily - by The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Finalist: statenews.com - by Staff, Michigan State University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: West Virginia uncovered - by staff, Reed College of Media, West Virginia University

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Grand Central Magazine - by Samantha Smallish Kate Woodruff Jessica Fecteau, Central Michigan University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Coming home - by Chelsae Ketchum, Kent State University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Shame - It's okay to be not okay - by Soundarya Kalidindi, Michigan State University
Finalist: Recycled clothing business brings jobs back home - by Tyler Mertins, Reed College of Media, West Virginia University
Finalist: Geocaching finds a home in West Virginia tourism - by Diane Jeanty, Reed College of Media, West Virginia University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Powerless: Six Stories of the 2013 Michigan Ice Storm - by Staff, Michigan State University

Online News Reporting
Winner: Living with Alzheimer's - by Katie Amann, Michigan State University
Finalist: Hocking Hills horrors - by Kelly Fisher, Ohio University
Finalist: The advancement of the Islamic State - by Collin Krizmanich, Michigan State University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: TV columnist - by Meryl Gottlieb, Ohio University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Inside the Huddle with Connor Cook - by Impact Sports Staff, Michigan State University
Finalist: Into the wild and back - by Colin Hanner, Ohio University
Finalist: Training athletes with disabilities - by Mason Dixon, Michigan State University

RADIO BROADCAST
Radio Feature
Winner: Micro-distilling in Michigan - by Steven Rich, Michigan State University
Finalist: Visiting Writers Series - by Rebecca Turnbull, Marshall University
Finalist: Tom Sawyer - by Jessica Patterson, Marshall University

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Exposure 6.03.14: Equality - by Steven Rich, Michigan State University

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Greenworks employees ex-cons - by Reem Nasr, University of Michigan
Finalist: Pigs at MSU student organic farm - by Gabriela Saldivia, Michigan State University
Finalist: Police Chief - by Amanda Reesman, Marshall University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Evan Hudden feature - by James Collier, Marshall University
Finalist: Home for the Fountain Ceremony - by Adam Polsky, Marshall University

TELEVISION BROADCAST
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: TV2 News: April 3, 2014 - by Nicole Septaric, Kent State University
Finalist: Focal Point Newscast: February, 14 2014 - by Focal Point Staff, Michigan State University
Finalist: UT: 10 News - by Staff, The University of Toledo

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: CMU protests Ferguson decision - by Clayton Cummins, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Rachel Shoaf's sentencing - by Nicole Linder, Reed College of Media
Finalist: Missing football player found dead, remembered for his passion - by Ritika Shah and Franz Ross, Ohio State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Cuyahoga Valley scenic railroad - by Brian Ivey, Kent State University
Finalist: 88-foot tall visitor - by Jennifer Swanchara, Michigan State University
Finalist: There’s something happening here - by Daniel Hamburg, Michigan State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Mount Pleasant continues to contribute to the great beer state - by Erica Francis, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Who needs a ticket? - by Nicholas Blaskowski, Michigan State University
Finalist: Potholes in Morgantown - by Taylor Eaton, Reed College of Media

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Physician aid-in dying - by Carmen Scruggs Jennifer Swanchara, Michigan State University
Finalist: OSU students catch peeping Tom masturbating outside off-campus homes - by Chelsea Spears and Ritika Shah, Ohio State University

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: There’s something happening here - by Daniel Hamburg, Michigan State University
Finalist: I don’t believe I will keep my business - by Max Gun, Michigan State University
Finalist: Morgantown garbage fines residents - by Taylor Eaton, Reed College of Media

Television Sports Photography
Winner: MSU Rose Bowl on-field and locker room celebration - by Gregory Monahan, Michigan State University
Finalist: Yellowjackets fall in State Finals - by Mason Flick, Central Michigan University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Jasmine Harris returns Home - by Mason Flick, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Game day in Morgantown - by Brandon Vansickel, Reed College of Media
Finalist: Kent State women's golf team - by Zach Harley, Kent State University

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 spj.org.

-END-