FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, (317) 920-4791, awards@spj.org
Maggie LaMar, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, mlamar@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the 2015 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 April 2 at the Region 4/5 Spring Conference in Cincinnati. 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 2016 (EIJ16), Sept. 18-20 in New Orleans.

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.

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

Art / Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The Lantern - Goal posts torn down, tear gas used, several arrested after National Championship win - by Yann Schreiber, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Black Lives Matter - by Allison Farrand, University of Michigan
Finalist: Cowboy down - by Matthew Merchant, Kent State University

Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: LGBT issues addressed on campus - by Rebecca Dietrich, Slippery Rock University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: 2,096 Rosies - by Allison Farrand, University of Michigan
Finalist: Fireworks - by Nick Brown, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Before the skates hit the ice - by MaxMcCarty, Kent State University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cal U twirlers incorporate gymnastics and dance into their performances - by Matt Palichat, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: UPB welcomes back students - by Rebecca Dietrich, Slippery Rock University
Finalist: Cardboard canoe race - by Campbell Bortel, Cedarville University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The last shot - by Jacob Byk, Kent State University
Finalist: Ebony Awards - by Amani Williams, Kent State University
Finalist: University of Toledo grieves loss of professor - by Savannah Joslin , The University of Toledo

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Candidate Carson - by Campbell Bortel, Cedarville University
Finalist: Veterans Day reading - by Kari Barnhill, Cedarville University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The lantern - Raising awareness - by Jon McAllister, The Ohio State University
Finalist: News illustrations - by A.J. Newberry, Miami University
Finalist: Eating disorder - by Jenna Watson, Kent State University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cal U's Homecoming 2015 preview cover - by Janene Dunbar, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: The Cal Times Ugly Sweater Christmas - by Connor Marshman, California University of Pennsylvania

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The Lantern - 2015 National Champions: The chase is complete - by Mark Batke, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Stretch for It - by Allison Farrand, University of Michigan
Finalist: touchdown catch - by Clint Datchuk, Kent State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Ready to play - by Campbell Bortel, Cedarville University
Finalist: Women's soccer climbs PSAC standings with win - by Kendall Scott, Slippery Rock University

Magazines
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Miami Quarterly Issue 2 - by Nicole George, Patricia Newberry, Miami University - Oxford
Finalist: SEO Summer/Fall 2015 - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: Unapologetic - by Greta Hallberg, Kayle Antony and Emma Strupp, Miami University

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Two seconds in Cudell - by Chrissy Suttles, Kent State University
Finalist: Deprived by distance - by Cheyenne Buckingham, Ohio University
Finalist: There is no time frame - by Tim Neral, Waynesburg University

Newspapers
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: 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 Kent Stater - by The Kent Stater Staff, Kent State University
Finalist: The State News - Michigan State University - by The State News Staff, Michigan State University
Finalist: Central Michigan Life - by Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Guilty - by Emma Ockerman, Ohio University
Finalist: Coverage of Miami murder-suicide - by Reis Thebault, Miami University
Finalist: Picking up the pieces in the wake of severe storm that damaged four homes, left 3,800 without power - by Olivia Dimmer, Michigan State University

Editorial Writing
Winner: The University Times editorial board - by Edmund Heaphy, Sinéad Baker, Daniel O'Brien, Colm Ó Néill, Trinity College Dublin
Finalist: Staff editorials of The Parthenon, Marshall University's student newspaper - by Editorial Staff, Marshall University
Finalist: Point Park opinions - by Jon Andreassi; Laura Byko, Point Park University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: 8-year-old recruit dives in with Ohio State synchronized swimming team - by Kevin Stankiewicz , The Ohio State University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The hardest thing imaginable - by Jacob Meyer, Waynesburg University
Finalist: 'The Village' Expands, Rebrands - by Anna Dembowski, Cedarville University
Finalist: Dance professor’s success inspires students, community - by Candice McDermott, Point Park University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Columns by Joe Heidenescher - by Joe Heidenescher, The University of Toledo
Finalist: Senior Citizen - by Erin Davoran, Ohio University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Just Sayin' - by Erik Johnson, Cedarville University
Finalist: Just Sayin' - by Jonathan Gallardo, Cedarville University
Finalist: Josh Croup columns - by Josh Croup, Point Park University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Fostering hope - by Olivia Hitchcock, Ohio University
Finalist: Isolated without OUSAP - by Julia Fair, Ohio University
Finalist: Sigma Nu Viking party leads to suspension - by Emily Tate, Miami University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Majority of freshmen unaware of off-campus housing policy - by Jacob Meyer, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Roads under stress - by Nika Anschuetz, Waynesburg University
Finalist: An unexpected welcome - by Rebekah Erway, Cedarville University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Unpleasant reality: CMU looks at racism in Mount Pleasant and on campus - by Ben Solis, Central Michigan University
Finalist: The coal issue - by James Steinbauer, Reis Thebault, Miami University
Finalist: Native tuition waiver underfunded by state, universities pick up difference - by Adrian Hedden, Central Michigan University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Does Cal U discriminate? A series that explores racial issues at the university - by Stetson Provance, Lauren Griffith, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Transforming the advising process - by Emily Finlay, Emily Paul, Anna Dembowski, Erik Johnson, Cedarville University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Jake Lourim sports columns - by Jake Lourim, University of Michigan
Finalist: Blake Bacho sports columns - by Blake Bacho, The University of Toledo
Finalist: Max Bultman sports columns - by Max Bultman, The University of Michigan

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The road out - by Jake Lourim, University of Michigan
Finalist: Sidelined: Student-athletes balance health with competitive nature of sports - by Dominick Mastrangelo , Central Michigan University
Finalist: Staying on track - by Ryan Squanda, Michigan State University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Division I transfer starts over, serves others - by Jonathan Gallardo, Cedarville University
Finalist: The hardest thing imaginable - by Jacob Meyer, Waynesburg University
Online

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Lantern - by The Lantern staff, The Ohio State University
Finalist: The Online Rocket - by Staff, Slippery Rock University
Finalist: KentWired.com Best Affiliated Website Entry - by KentWired.com staff , Kent State University

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Grand Central Magazine entry - by Megan Zaleski and staff, Central Michigan University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Bridging Selma - by staff of Bridging Selma, Reed College of Media and Morgan State University
Finalist: Ohio bill calls for defunding of abortion-performing organizations - by Emily Mills and Allie Johnson , Kent State University
Finalist: Race to the White House - by Staff, Ohio University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Street scenes - by Amanda Proscia, College of Communication Arts & Sciences
Finalist: A passing tradition: Annual Santa train journeys through Appalachia - by Rachel Le Goubin, Kent State University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Two Seconds in Cudell - by Chrissy Suttles, Kent State University
Finalist: How CMU has kept the scope of sexual assault complaints in the dark - by Arielle Hines, Central Michigan University

Online News Reporting
Winner: Exhumed – The Mercer Case - by Cheyna Roth Amelia Havanec , College of Communication Arts & Sciences
Finalist: Kent man armed with machete shot and killed by police - by Emily Mills and Ian Klein , Kent State University
Finalist: How universities are trying to prevent LGBTQ sexual assault - by Alexandra Pierce , University of Michigan

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: ANALYSIS: CMU athletics has become big business under Heeke — and students are paying for it - by John Irwin , Central Michigan University
Finalist: MSU Football - by Ryan Cole, Bradley Allen and Jason Ruff, Michigan State University
Finalist: Sports columns - by Tony Heim, Ohio University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Outside the ring - by Daine Pavloski , College of Communication Arts & Sciences
Finalist: State Games swimmer finds pool is 'like freedom' after battling nerve disorder - by Julie Angell, Michigan State University

Radio Broadcast
Radio Feature
Winner: How-to-comedy - by Max Johnston, Michigan State University
Finalist: The big pink volleyball - by Rebecca Turnbull, Marshall University
Finalist: The art of revolution - by Rebecca Turnbull, Marshall University

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Curlfriends: The sisterhood of black beauty - by Audrey Matusz, Michigan State University

Radio News Reporting
Winner: ACLU's know your rights - by Rebecca Turnbull, Marshall University
Finalist: Drug prevention summit - by Aundrea Horsley, Marshall University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Spartans are hungry for more: MSU Media Day recap - by Blake Froling, Michigan State University
Finalist: Bob Gray WVSA Hall of Fame - by Braxton Crisp, Marshall University
Finalist: Aretha sings the National Anthem - by Luke Creasy, Marshall University

Television Broadcast
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: TV2 News: Nov. 10, 2915 - by Vivian Feke, Kent State University
Finalist: WVU News goes green - by Taylor Lasota, WVU Reed College of Media
Finalist: News Central 34 _11/2/15 - by Kevin Calhoun Shannon Gronevelt Clayton Cummins, Central Michigan University

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Akron Plane Crash - by Alexa Maslowski, Kent State University
Finalist: Hazing Charges - by Jamie Robinson, WVU Reed College of Media
Finalist: DUI - by Jamie Robinson, WVU Reed College of Media

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Life after Paris attacks - by Yann Schreiber , The Ohio State University
Finalist: Making a difference - by Vivian Feke, Kent State University
Finalist: You couldn't pay me enough - by Daniel Hamburg, Michigan State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: News Central 34 - Dance United Fundraiser- by CLAYTON CUMMINS, Central Michigan University
Finalist: I unknowingly use my white privilege every day - by Amanda Chodnicki, Michigan State University
Finalist: Student fees explained - by Kelly Stincer, Miami University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Off duty, off campus - by Daniel Hamburg, Michigan State University
Finalist: Fracking - by Jamie Robinson, WVU Reed College of Media
Finalist: Volkswagen - by Shaleah Ingram, WVU Reed College of Media

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: You couldn't pay me enough - by Daniel Hamburg, Michigan State University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: There is an inherent risk to playing sports - by Brett Kast, Michigan State University
Finalist: Josh Barens: Determined - by Scott Wasserman, Brooks Laimbeer, Alex Scharg and Adam Zimmer, Michigan State University
Finalist: International players - by Ally Brandfass, WVU Reed College of Media

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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