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

SPJ’s Region 12 comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 11 at the Region 12 Spring Conference in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 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 12 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: State flag rally and protests - by Deja Samuel , University of Mississippi
Finalist: We stand with Dan - by Cady Herring , University of Mississippi

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Jake Thrasher editorial cartoons - by Jake Thrasher, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Tuition, Thanksgiving, The Whopper - by Rachel Gibson, Harding University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Hydrogen Child, formerly known as Superwater Sympathy, closed out the party - by Devin Dronett, Louisiana Tech University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Pilgramage Festival - by Erin Turner, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Help me - by Amanda Floyd, Harding University
Finalist: Sunny snow day in 2015 - by Erin Turner, Lipscomb University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students gathered in solidarity with the people of Nepal after an earthquake struck. - by Devin Dronett, Louisiana Tech University

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Icepocalypse - by Grant Schol, Harding University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Basketball confetti - by Erin Turner, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Nathan Moran drives to the basket - by Erin Turner, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Bisons sophomore running back Zach Shelley stiff arms - by Brittney Garringer, Harding University
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Land of broken promises - by Meek School of Journalism and New Media , University of Mississippi
Finalist: Hill - by Alex Golden, editor, University of Arkansas

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: The man he wants to be - by William Bowden, University of Arkansas
Finalist: The almost martyr - by Clancy Smith , University of Mississippi
Finalist: American dreams - by Meredith Turner, University of Arkansas

Newspapers
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Mississippian - by Staff, University of Mississippi

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Maroon issues - by Nia Porter and Mary Graci, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: The Gramblinite - by Staff, Grambling State University
Finalist: The Arkansas Traveler - by Isabel Dobrin, University of Arkansas

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Harris given six months for vandalizing Meredith statue - by Lana Ferguson and Logan Kirkland , University of Mississippi
Finalist: Students, staff witness plane crash - by Isabel Dobrin and staff, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Confederate symbolism conversation comes to Grove - by Clara Turnage, University of Mississippi

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Tulane discontinues student-run ambulance service - by Kristen Stewart, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: California shooting leaves 14 dead, 21 wounded - by Hunter Beck, Harding University

Editorial Writing
Winner: Maroon editorials - by Lauren Stroh and Gage Counts, Loyola University New Orleans

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The last time I saw my mother - by Wilborn P. Nobles III, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Ten years later: Reminders of Hurricane Katrina and Rita still linger in southern Louisiana - by Holly Duchmann, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: Being transgender at the UofA - by Evan Moss, University of Arkansas

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: My Katrina Story: You are just sobbing - by Louise De Vaney, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Tulane students train puppies to assist disabled - by Zayn Abidin, Loyola University New Orleans

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Baltimore shows us how we change narr; Response to Joe Bleich; What does it mean to be a journalist? - by John Sadler, Louisiana Tech University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Digging Christmas holes; Sleep well Harrison; Form ever follows function - by Joshua Johnson, Harding University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Living Wage Campaign - by Clara Turnage, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Bisbano's faces ADA violation lawsuit - by Dan Boudreaux, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: Victim's father: make example of 'regrettable assault' - by Clara Turnage, University of Mississippi

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: My Katrina story - by The Loyola Student News Service staff, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Dude, where's my contraception? - by Marie Simoneaux , Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Clinic site faces unplanned delays - by Marie Simoneaux, Loyola University New Orleans

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Sodexo reports the latest in company transparency issues - by Kailey Broussard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: Race relations at MU - by Ginny Monk and Alex Golden, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Race Relations at UofA - by Ginny Monk, University of Arkansas

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: The millennial exodus series, Part I-III - by Kaleb Turner, Harding University
Finalist: The pursuit of education - by Rebeca Trejo, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Facing the job market - by Mark Robinson, Loyola University New Orleans

Sports Column Writing
Winner: 'Star Wars' and sports; Timeline of an FCS loss; Why hope is cruel - by David Salley, Harding University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Razorback athletics looking into allegations against volleyball coach - by Ashton Eley, University of Arkansas
Finalist: D'amico's pitch - by Garrett Ohlmeyer, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: The new Chad Kelly - by Dylan Rubino, University of Mississippi

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Married to the game - by Kassandra Merritt, Grambling State University
Finalist: Quidditch team out but not down - by Mark Robinson, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Wolf Pack point guard pursues a career overseas - by Mark Robinson, Loyola University New Orleans

Online
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Link - by The Link, Harding University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: #MSKatrina10 - by NewsWatch99 Staff, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Car talk with Mike James and Dale Manor - by Chance Gowan, Jordan Smith, Alex Valdes, Harding University
Finalist: Dove Awards 2015 - by Erin Turner and five other Lumination Network staffers, Lipscomb University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Land of runners - by Logan Kirkland, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Cypress Lake: A history - by Jessica Manafi Seth Dickerson, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: My Katrina Story: I choose to stay - by Burke Bischoff, Loyola University New Orleans

Online News Reporting
Winner: Volunteers sleep on the streets for Covenant House - by Allyson Aleksey and Taylor Evans, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: First same-sex marriage held in Lafayette County - by Logan Kirkland, University of Mississippi

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Rocky Topics - by Cody McClure, University of Tennessee

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Ole Miss Tennis Imports Big Talent from Croatia to USA - by Joe Rogers, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Equestrian team's grit and determination has them riding home - by Cody McClure, University of Tennessee
Finalist: Sarah Montgomery lives life in fast lane - by Jordan Arceneaux, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Radio Broadcast
Radio Feature
Winner: Mardi Gras - Here or there? - by Adrian Minor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Lipscomb volleyball branding - by Patrick Carpenter, Lipscomb University
Finalist: ESPN3 gives student a taste of fast-paced broadcasting - by Aaron Schmelzer, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Sports concussion research - by Riley Mueller , University of Mississippi

Television Broadcast
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Plane crash in downtown Fayetteville - by UATV Staff, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Northshore News - by Southeastern Channel staff, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: Flag aftermath at Ole Miss - by Staff , University of Mississippi

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Ole Miss names new chancellor - by NewsWatch 99 Staff, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Former Ole Miss student sentenced for statue desecration - by Lacey Russell, Maggie McDaniel, University of Mississippi

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Joseph Delaune’s last wish - by Jacquelyn Masse, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Funerals for the forgotten - by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
Finalist: I-10 twin span rebuilt - by Brittany Robinson, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Author of Take Down The Flag Resolution Calls for Recognition of NAACP Leadership - by Kelly Savage , University of Mississippi
Finalist: Smart Helmets - by Courtney Allen, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Port Marigny - by Dominique Brogle, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Atomic Mississippi - by Meek School of Journalism and New Media , University of Mississippi
Finalist: Drums along the river - by Drew Sagona, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: Funerals for the forgotten - by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Pumpkin Spice Latte - by Sarah Barbier, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: Abita Mystery House - by Sarah Barbier, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television Sports Photography
Winner: LSU Hockey - by Johnny Lombardi, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Lions Cross Country - by Tyler Waggenspack, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Swimmer legacy - by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Who is Chad Kelly? - by Waverly McCarthy, University of Mississippi

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