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

SPJ’s Region 6 comprises Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 9 at the Region 6 Spring Conference in Minneapolis. 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, 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 6 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

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Curb Magazine Photo Series - by Thomas Yonash, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Heaven on wheels photos by Ethan DeGree - by Ethan DeGree, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Church illustrations - by Hans Kammerer and Kendal Christenson., Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Kayla Farhang's portrait - by Cloe Gray, Hamline University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Why are college students obsessed with squirrels? - by Phu Nguyen, South Dakota State University
Finalist: Chancellor Kopper's inauguration - by Kimberly M. Wethal, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Peace over violence - by Onize Ohikere, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Welcome home - by Kayleigh Omang , Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: The first pitch at CHS field - by Gino Terrell, Hamline University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The pride is back - by Katie Gebauer, South Dakota State University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Raising voices - by Ethan DeGree, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: I'm a refugee - by Ethan DeGree, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: OT goal for the win - by Ben Erickson, Marquette University
Finalist: Duane Wilson after loss to DePaul - by Brian Georgeson, Marquette University
Finalist: Volleyball team falls in home opener - by Taylor Voegele, South Dakota State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The senior's final splash in the steeplechase - by Gino Terrell, Hamline University
Dragons fall to Cobbers in season-opening dual - by Kayleigh Omang, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: President Hanson celebrating with the Pipers - by Gino Terrell, Hamline University

Magazines

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Marquette Journal - by Matthew Kulling, Marquette University

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: As good as gold - by Abbey Schneider, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Finalist: A field of second chances - by Annaleigh Wetzel, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Finalist: Displaced, dispossessed but determined - by Devin Lowe, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Newspapers

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Marquette Tribune - by Rebecca Rebholz, Matthew Kulling, Andrew Dawson, Amy Elliot-Meisel, Marquette University
Finalist: The Spectrum - by The Spectrum staff, North Dakota State University
Finalist: The Collegian - by Maddi Anderson, Sara Bertsch, Drew Carroll & Katherine Clayton, South Dakota State University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students react to Schroeder Hall flood after fire hose activation - by Natalie Wickman, Marquette University

Editorial Writing
Winner: Marquette Tribune editorials - by Marquette Wire Editorial Board, Marquette University
Finalist: Staff editorials - by Maddi Anderson, Sara Bertsch and Drew Carroll, South Dakota State University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: No, you cannot touch my hair - by Erica Nitschke, North Dakota State University
Finalist: Madison Jazz Jam invites amateurs, experts alike on improvised musical adventures - by Cara Lombardo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Finalist: Growing up Latina - by Erica Nitschke, North Dakota State University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The prince of Compton - by Anthony Schnabel , Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: I'm a refugee — Student moved from Syria at 2 years old - by Onize Ohikere, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: What no one wants to talk about: Sexual assault - by Katie Winbauer, Bismarck State College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Columns - by Jordan Bierbrauer, South Dakota State University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Column Submission: Hunter Simonson - by Hunter Simonson, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Column Submission: Carrie Thayer - by Carrie Thayer, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Column Submission: Ashley Peck - by Ashley Peck, Minnesota State University Moorhead

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Marquette Police Department looking to better utilize social media after crime misinformation spread - by McKenna Oxenden, Marquette University
Finalist: You can't not talk about it - by Sara Bertsch , South Dakota State University
Finalist: University of Missouri protests inspire reactions from students - by Katherine Clayton , South Dakota State University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Surprising sips - by Katie Winbauer, Bismarck State College
Finalist: Unintended pregnancies decreased through Hendrix, state program - by Samantha Stark, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Poster protest - by Ashley Thorpe, Bismarck State College

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: International students’ job outlook limited by visa process - by Erica Nitschke, North Dakota State University
Finalist: University has room to improve on sexual health education - by Devi Shastri, Marquette University
Finalist: On the chopping block: $250 million cut to UW system means $5.8 million loss for UW-W - by Kimberly M. Wethal Emily R. Lepkowski, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Dedication to diversity: Carlos Sneed's impact at Hamline - by Cloe Gray, Hamline University
Finalist: English: the ticket to prosperity for China - by Xue Yan, Lawrence University
Finalist: Advocating for change: The power of one student's work - by Cloe Gray, Hamline University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: By Gosh! Club volleyball lands former ace - by Andrew Goldstein, Marquette University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Minding media — Risks and rewards of social media in the world of athletics - by Thor Thompson, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: The Prince of Compton - by Anthony Schnabel, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Redshirt redemption — MSUM's all-time leading passer looks to come back after injury-plagued season - by Martin Schlegel, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Online

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: Curb Magazine Online - by Tyler Dedrick, Stacy Forster, Andy Stoiber, Claire Raddatz , University of Wisconsin-Madison
Finalist: The Spectrum website - by The Spectrum staff, North Dakota State University
Finalist: The Marquette Wire - by Andrew Dawson, Marquette University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: TommieMedia - by TommieMedia Staff, University of St. Thomas
Finalist: One Nation Under … - by Chris Walker, Adviser, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: University Chronicle Online - by Staff, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Media Milwaukee - by Media Milwaukee staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Surviving hate: The Nate Taffel story - by Amanda Porter Dan Zielinski, University of

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: On humanity's edge - by JAMS 500 reporting class., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: The power of prayer behind bars - by Ashley Peck, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Journeying back to God - by Onize Ohikere, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Some MU grads struggle years after graduation - by Patrick Thomas, Marquette University

Online News Reporting
Winner: UW-Milwaukee area crime stats show overall drop since 2007 - by Paul Bertling, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: Faces not forgotten - by JAMS 320 reporting class, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: Wisconsin open records complaints are few – When They’re Tracked - by Stevan Stojanovic, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Jamie Bernard - Opinions - by Jamie Bernard, University of St. Thomas

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Into the Grime - by Dylan Deprey, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: Vanden Avond approaches NCAA history - by Dan Zielinski, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Radio Broadcast

Radio Feature
Winner: The blacksmith - by Mariah Tralongo, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Finalist: After her father's murder, a little girl grows up - by Jakayla Phillips, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: Faces of UWM | The pianist - by Montel Allen, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Radio News Reporting
Winner: UW-Milwaukee students rally for higher minimum wage - by Jaimie Anderson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Finalist: #StrongEnough Bully Prevention Campaign - by Korina Borash, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Students Protest Immigration Policies at Milwaukee GOP Debate - by Ean Holtz, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Television Broadcast
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Campus News from 5-2-15 - by Campus News Staff, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: UTVS News - by Staff, St. Cloud State University

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Big case rocking a small community - Danny Heinrich - by Brett Mensing, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Remembering our fallen - by Lyanne Valdez, St. Cloud State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Tech sisters qualify for state in tennis - by Sarah Rudlang, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Student rapper - by Ariana Babcock, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Student invents 3-in-1 wheelchair - by Haley Foster, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Middle school garden - by Danielle Maroney, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Concordia faces budget cuts - by Jordan Schroeer, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: Concordia hosts relay for life - by Tyrel Filley, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Doomsday warrior: The story of George Andrie - by Peter Basch, Michael Cianciolo, Brian Georgeson, Marquette University
Finalist: Unforgiving truth: Life after graduation - by Patrick Thomas, Brian Georgeson, Marquette University
Finalist: Mall Walkers: Heart & sole - by Ariana Babcock Onize Ohikere Haley Foster Anastasia Burrill-Davidson, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: Student rapper - by Ariana Babcock, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Television Sports Photography
Winner: More than a game - The TJ Frerick's Story - by Jeremy Klein and Taylor Budge, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: MSUM president prepares for Boston Marathon - by Ariana Babcock, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: More than a game - The TJ Frerick's Story - by Jeremy Klein and Taylor Budge, St. Cloud State University
Finalist: Golf course closes for research - by Ariana Babcock, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Finalist: The powerful powerplay - by Taylor Budge, St. Cloud 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 www.spj.org.

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