FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 2. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 2 comprises Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of March 28 at the Region 2 Spring Conference in College Park, Maryland. 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 2 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: Black lives matter - by Sung-Min Kim, University of Maryland

Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Waverly shooting - by Al Drago, Elon University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Hatchet – Cartoons - by Jay Fondin, The George Washington University
Finalist: Editorial cartooning - by Andrew David Cox, Appalachian State University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Smokey Club - by Will Fisher, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Engaged - by Griffin Harrington, James Madison University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Festivus - by Al Drago, Elon University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Brown wins democratic nomination, faces Larry Hogan in general election - by Christian Jenkins, University of Maryland
Finalist: Graduation celebration - by Matt Schmachtenberg, James Madison University
Finalist: VCU students protest grand jury decision not to indict Officer Wilson - by Audry Dubon, Virginia Commonwealth

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Last touch - by Al Drago, Elon University
Finalist: Pony swim - by Al Drago, Elon University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Towson's most eligible 2014 - by Sydney Adamson, Abby Murphy and Sarah Hugel, Towson University
Finalist: Mr. 1,000 - by Abby Murphy, Towson University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: No to divestment - by Alejandro Alvarez, American University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Snowboard competition - by Griffin Harrington, James Madison University
Finalist: Ohio State Quarterback Cardale Jones hurdles safety Anthony Nixon - by Chester Lam, University of Maryland
Finalist: Hatchet – Sports photo - by Cameron Lancaster, The George Washington University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Eye ball - by Al Drago, Elon University
Finalist: Splash jump - by Al Drago, Elon University

MAGAZINE
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Forum Magazine - Winter 2014 - by Rebecca Wilson, McKenna Jensen, Joe Han, Ben Panko, University of Richmond
Finalist: Amlit Magazine - Fall 2014 - by Julia Irion Martins, Brendan Williams-Childs, American University
Finalist: Curio - by Staff, James Madison University

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner:Protesting pedophilia: One man's crusade against the Vatican - by Shelby Ostergaard, American University
Finalist: Pregnant at JMU - by Nikki Beck, James Madison University
Finalist:Moonshine culture may have given way to a preference for small-batch meth - by Lovey Cooper, Appalachian State University

NEWSPAPERS
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner:The Daily Tar Heel - by Staff, UNC-Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Commonwealth Times - by Staff, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: The Pendulum - by The Pendulum Staff, Elon University
Finalist: The Eagle in 2014 - by the staff of The Eagle, American University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Preacher on campus makes a stir - by Patrick Mortiere, Lauren Hunt, IJ Chan, James Madison University
Finalist: Evicted: Appalachian State evicts 13 students from Howard Street housing - by Tommy Culkin, Appalachian State University
Finalist: Hatchet – Breaking news reporting - by The GW Hatchet Staff, The George Washington University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Mold discovered in Elon’s Loy Center addressed by Physical Plant - by Michael Bodley, Elon University

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Diamondback selected editorials - by The Diamondback Editorial Board, University of Maryland
Finalist: Hatchet – Staff editorials - by The Hatchet's Editorial Board, The George Washington University
Finalist: Staff editorials - by Michael Bragg, Appalachian State University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The invisible illness: Living with mental health issues at AU - by Heather Mongilio, American University
Finalist: From ensign to four-star admiral: Bill Gortney ’77 takes on new challenges to ‘defend the home’ - by Morgan Abate, Elon University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: I'll see you at the movies; Why I want to become a doctor; Blurred lines of Justice and Vengeance - by Yi "Patrick" An, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Hatchet – General column writing - by Justin Peligri, The George Washington University
Finalist: Selected Diamondback columns - by Erik Shell, Caroline Carlson, Matt Schnabel, University of Maryland

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Maryland's international relationships - by Idrees Ali and Capital News Service staff, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Finalist: Hatchet – General News Reporting - by Colleen Murphy, The George Washington University
Finalist: Marylanders fight for rights to die after national attention drawn to 'death with dignity' - by Talia Richman, University of Maryland

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Commercial drones take off in Charlotte - by Rachel Adams-Heard, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: Measuring belief - by Ellen Wexler, The College of William and Mary
Finalist: Cost of Elon fire alarms over-budget, underfunded by university - by Katy Canada, Elon University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The road to $1 Billion - by Chloe Sorvino, Colleen Murphy, The George Washington University
Finalist: University data breach exposes 300,000 student, faculty SSNs - by Laura Blasey Mike King Joe Antoshak, University of Maryland
Finalist: Hatchet – In-depth reporting - by Jacqueline Thomsen, The George Washington University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cutting master’s pay spells trouble for graduate programs, teachers - by Katy Canada, Elon University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Selected Diamondback sports columns - by Daniel Gallen Aaron Kasinitz, University of Maryland
Finalist: Hatchet – Sports column writing - by Ben Krimmel, The George Washington University
Finalist: The sports column writing for the Commonwealth Times - by Colin Kennedy, Virginia Commonwealth University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A second chance at life - by Hau Chu, George Mason University
Finalist: For parents of Final Four players, traveling can prove costly - by Ben Kamisar, Georgetown University
Finalist: Hatchet – Sports Writing - by Josh Solomon and Nora Princiotti, The George Washington University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: A walk with Randy Rogers - by Zack Astran, High Point University
Finalist: Never Back Down: Nicole Dennion kicks cancer - by Tommy Hamzik, Elon University
Finalist: Underdogs: An oral history - by Josh Paunil, American University

ONLINE
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: dailytarheel.com - by Staff, UNC-Chapel Hill
Finalist: The GW Hatchet's affiliated website - by The GW Hatchet Staff, The George Washington University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: Capital News Service | CNSMaryland.org - by CNS Staff, University of Maryland College of Journalism

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Covering poverty in America - by Chelsea Tubridy (on behalf of JOUR 3050 Fall semester 2014 course), University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Finalist: Whole hog: The power of pork - by Powering A Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Whole hog: The power of pork - by Powering A Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: The GW Hatchet's Best of Northwest Guide - by The GW Hatchet Staff, The George Washington University
Finalist: Post-classical - by Danielle Ohl, University of Maryland

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Baltimore's forgotten champions: An oral history of the Baltimore Stallions - by CNS Staff, University of Maryland College of Journalism
Finalist: Bastøy Prison: Low security brings high benefits in Norway - by Britton Nagy, High Point University
Finalist: The art of getting by: Life as a transgender student at the University of Maryland - by Quinn Kelley, University of Maryland

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Whole hog: The power of pork - by Powering A Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: Cove point liquified natural gas controversy - by Lyle Kendrick, Justine McDaniel, Amirah Al Idrus and Hyon-Young Kim, University of Maryland College of Journalism
Finalist:Natural bridge - by Andy Soergel, Janey Fugate, Micah Fleet and Evelyn Rupert, Washington and Lee University

Online News Reporting
Winner: Whole hog: The power of pork - by Powering a Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: Murky waters: North Carolina wrestles to manage hog waste - by Stephanie Butzer and Carly Hildyard, Elon University
Finalist: Sacred silence: Tinnitus and the noise that never stops - by Caroline Olney, Elon University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Selected Diamondback columns - by Robert Cobb, Ben Stryker, Eric Bricker, University of Maryland

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Baltimore's forgotten champions: An oral history of the Baltimore Stallions - by CNS Staff, University of Maryland College of Journalism
Finalist: Elon officially joins the Colonial Athletic Association - by Andrew Feather, Elon University
Finalist: Breaking down Urban Meyer's offense - by Daniel Popper, University of Maryland

RADIO BROADCAST
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Carolina Connection — Oct. 25, 2014 - by Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

Radio Feature
Winner: Cell phones making it harder to sleep - by Parth Shah, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill
Finalist: The comeback of vinyl albums - by Andrew Stern, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: In-depth coverage of UNC academic scandal - by Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Ridesharing apps cause concern for local taxi companies - by Jessica Clark, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill
Finalist: Internet harassment makes some uncomfortable online - by Charlie Shelton, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Hatchell feels good, plans to return - by Grace Raynor, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

TELEVISION BROADCAST
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Carolina Week — Dec. 3, 2014 - by Carolina Week, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill
Finalist: ELN: Full broadcast - November 24, 2014 - by Elon Local News, Elon University
Finalist: Maryland Newsline - December 4, 2014 - by STAFF & VOLUNTEERS CNS-TV, Merrill College of Journalism, Univ. of Maryland

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Pregnancy discrimination heads to the Supreme Court - by Taylor Cairns, Joyce Koh, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Wainstein Report — Part 2 - by Elizabeth Tew, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill
Finalist: Philadelphia kidnapping: A women kidnapped is found - by Brett Hall, Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: The gift of life: Maryland alum gets a third chance at life - by Brett Hall, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Finalist: Viewfinder: Cystic Fibrosis - by Dani Shae Thompson, University of Maryland
Finalist: Veteran kitchen - by Alanna Delfino, University of Maryland

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Finals confusion - by Teresa Galasso, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: NC wine industry boom - by Kristin Ruffin, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill
Finalist: Explosive findings: Rosedale train derailment - by Marissa Parra, University of Maryland

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: ViewFinder: A free smile - by Bradleigh Chance, Tim Drummond, Phil Staiman, Drew Snadecki, Chloe Leshner, Shannon Atran, Megan Brooke, University of Maryland
Finalist: ViewFinder: Overcoming obstacles - by Alex Glass, Dani Thompson, Amanda Salvucci, Alanna Delfino, Stephanie Martinez, Ben Susman, Kara Dixon, Shannon Clash, Taylor Lewis, Alexandria Benford , University of Maryland
Finalist: Positive love - by LaToria Todd, Ciera Jarrett, Nana-Sentuo Bonsu, Virginia Commonwealth University

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: An outlandish home built from deeper roots - by Joyce Koh, University of Maryland
Finalist: Viewfinder: Greener goats - by Phil Staiman, University of Maryland
Finalist: Football field prep - by Ngozika Nwoko, University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill

Television Sports Photography
Winner: Viewfinder: Weekend warriors - by Tim Drummond, University of Maryland
Finalist: Suns down - by Nick Munson, Merrill College of Journalism, Univ. of Maryland
Finalist: Viewfinder: Underwater hockey - by Amanda Salvucci, University of Maryland

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Fan of the game - by Alanna Delfino, University of Maryland
Finalist: Viewfinder: Swimmer overcomes spinal injury - by Tim Drummond, University of Maryland
Finalist: Suns down - by Nick Munson, Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland

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.

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