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Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in Pittsburgh


3/13/2018


Contacts:
Christine Cordial, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, awards@spj.org
Anna Gutierrez, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, communications@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2017 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of March 10 at the Region 4 Conference. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism conference in Baltimore.

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

The list below details all Region 4 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Christine Cordial via email or phone at 317-920-4788.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.

Newspapers

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: June flood coverage - by Mitchell Kukulka and McKenzie Sanderson, Central Michigan University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Full-time faculty union reaches contract agreement - by Alexander Popichak and Josh Croup, Point Park University
Finalist: Seventh floor caught in hot water after pipe joint burst - by Alexander Popichak, Point Park University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Science vs. policy: examining the clash over cannabis - by Sarah Wolpoff, Central Michigan University
Finalist: 911 callers say Columbus Police dismissed their pleas to save Heather Campbell’s life - by Summer Cartwright and Owen Daugherty, Ohio State University
Finalist: Immigration policy aftershocks hit Kent - by Cameron Gorman and McKenzie Jean-Philippe, Kent State University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Science in the wild - by Drew Boxler, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: County faces opioid epidemic - by Teghan Simonton, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Concealed carry raises discussion - by Alexandria Hentschel, Cedarville University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Keeping up with compliance - by Karl Schneider, Kent State University
Finalist: Gender pay gap at Ohio State: Male employees earn nearly $8,000 more than females - by Erin Gottsacker, Ohio State University
Finalist: Community in crisis: Miami's drinking problem - by The Staff of The Miami Student, Miami University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Missions at a glance – by The Staff of Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Sexual assault an even more complicated issue on Christian campuses - by Jacob Meyer, Waynesburg University
Finalist: The problem of performance-related pain - by Emma Selmon, Baldwin Wallace University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: FSB professor wants to 'be everything' - by Audrey Davis, Miami University
Finalist: What they left behind: Life after loss - by Mackenzie Rossero, Miami University
Finalist: TMS reporter rides along with MUPD on 'Blackout' Thursday - by Kirby Davis, Miami University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Joe's big break - by Mattie Winowitch, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Bird sisters 'stick together' during recovery - by Teghan Simonton, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Sisters in arms - by Luke Goodling, Waynesburg University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Unwanted, unconventional and unrelenting: the Michael Wroblewski story - by Orion Sang, University of Michigan
Finalist: After premature end to career, Chris Bryant finds peace off the field - by Orion Sang, University of Michigan

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Top runner competes in honor of father - by Luke Goodling, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Grinnen leaves legacy at Waynesburg - by Luke Goodling and Jacob Meyer, Waynesburg University

Editorial Writing
Winner: OU, newsrooms need to do more to end harassment; University freedom of expression policy limits speech; Making the Edition - by Elizabeth Backo, Kaitlin Coward, Hayley Harding and Marisa Fernandez, Ohio University
Finalist: Hey Point Park, we need to talk; Keeping your constituency in mind; Tuition increase an annual upset - by The Staff of The Globe, Point Park University
Finalist: Unaffiliated fraternities diminish standards set by Greeks, university; No Joking Matter; Fact not Fiction: global warming is an issue we must admit in order to repair - by The Central Michigan Life Editorial Board, Central Michigan University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Speaking up about mental health is key; Jodie Sweetin hits the mark with talk on addiction; 'Jim and Andy' and learning to live with your worst inner critic - by Devon Shuman, Miami University
Finalist: War on Christmas is a disingenuous fight against religious tolerance; Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are all a bunch of snowflakes — get over it; You should know what the Confederate flag stands for - by Elio Stante, Central Michigan University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Columns - by Ryan Brown, John Carroll University
Finalist: When are we going to learn?; #metoo; In the era of heroin - by Carly Cundiff, John Carroll University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Just like that; Take a knee; Worth the wait - by Betelhem Ashame, University of Michigan
Finalist: The Bengals, Browns and English poetry; YAHN-iss ah-deh-toh-KOON-boh; MLB teams with aces up their sleeves - by Mitchell Hausfeld, Miami University
Finalist: On big stage, Bush showcases star potential; O’Korn jumps on chance to rewrite story; Recipe for heartbreak - by Orion Sang, University of Michigan

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

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: A hitch in Jim's step - by Emma Kinghorn, Miami University
Finalist: Doing the most - by Megan Zahneis, Miami University
Finalist: Breaking down the crown - by Kelly Powell, Kent State University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Miami Student Magazine – by The Staff of The Miami Student Magazine, Miami University
Finalist: The Burr Magazine - by Benjamin VanHoose, Kent State University
Finalist: Fusion Magazine - by MJ Eckhouse, Ella Abbott, Mike Kiczek and Abby Winternitz, Kent State University

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Urban Meyer walks through enemy lines - by Jack Westerheide, Ohio State University
Finalist: Oxford march against white supremacy - by Jugal Jain, Miami University

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: That’s an image that will always be in my head - by Nikole Kost, Point Park University
Finalist: We remember: rest in peace Jason Ritter - by Jessica Crosson, California University of Pennsylvania

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Marching Chips - by Josie Norris, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Passion to play - by Josie Norris, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Road to recovery - by Carter Adams and Aaron Self, Kent State University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Finalist: Assistant coach dedicates lifetime to track program - by Teghan Simonton, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Remembering the fallen - by Mitchell Kendra, Waynesburg University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Watch party - by Nate Manley, Kent State University
Finalist: Wide receiver Gary Jennings is tackled in the air after catching a pass - by Ryan Alexander, West Virginia University
Finalist: Marcus Baugh goes airborne vs. Maryland - by Jack Westerheide, Ohio State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: National Championship Game - by Bree Gannon, Ashland University

Radio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Carter G. Woodson Lyceum - by Kyra Biscarner, Marshall University
Finalist: MU President Jerome Gilbert responds to WV State of the State Address - by Adam Stephens, Marshall University
Finalist: Protests on Marshall's campus - by Matthew Groves, Marshall University

Radio Feature
Winner: Bearwood Company - by Luke Creasy, Marshall University
Finalist: Political satire in Egypt: not just a joke - by Yasmeen Nabil Mansour, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: A Covered Bridge Christmas - by Media Practicum Class students, Alderson Broaddus University

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Catfishing in the Nile: sexploitation and online blackmail in Egypt - by Ahmed Hosam Refai, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: Mared & Karen: The WVU coed murders - by J. Kendall Perkinson, West Virginia University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Brady's record day - by Adam Rogers, Marshall University
Finalist: Marshall football running game hitting its stride - by Spencer DuPuis, Marshall University
Finalist: Basketball Friday Night in WV standout athlete of the week - Jayden Lindsey - by Luke Creasy, Marshall University

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Newscenter 88 - by Staff, Marshall University

Television

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Seniors serving seniors - by Sierra Searcy, Michigan State University
Finalist: They weren't allowed to come forward - by Katie McCoy and Christian Barrington, Michigan State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Voices of DACA - by Madison Humphrey, University of Toledo
Finalist: Texting and driving - by Leanne Shinkle, West Virginia University
Finalist: Brady Lake residents clash with village council - by Anna Huntsman, Kent State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Water walk - by Courtney Kramer, West Virginia University
Finalist: Black lung in the Mountain State - by CJ Harvey, West Virginia University
Finalist: With just luck - by Chloe Kiple, Michigan State University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Down to the wire - by Anna Huntsman, Kent State University
Finalist: Planned Parenthood fights for its future - by Ben Orner, Kent State University
Finalist: Know your rights - by Leanne Shinkle, West Virginia University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: West Virginia's theme song - by Elizabeth Haines, West Virginia University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Oxford Weekly News – by The Staff of MUTV, Miami University
Finalist: TV2 News at 6 - by Kiana Duncan and Devon McCarty, Kent State University
Finalist: 100 days in Trump country - by Ashley Rogers, West Virginia University

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: A story of addiction and recovery - by Laura Fitzgerald, Miami University
Finalist: A tribute to Too's - by Elizabeth Suarez, Ohio State University
Finalist: Lauren Rohrs: Ohio State student's road to women's professional football - by Ashley Nelson and Colin Hass-Hill, Ohio State University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Cultural perceptions on fertility and contraception in rural Egypt - by Sara Mohamed and Sarah Guirguis, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: Hope anchors the soul - by K. Grace Warner, Ohio University
Finalist: Toiling for a toilet - by Yardain Amron, University of Michigan

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Keeping kids alive in West Virginia - by Nick Foutrakis, Dalia Elsaid, Zane Coss and Jade Artherhults, Reed College of Media
Finalist: Population growth in Egypt: More people, more problems? - by Sara Mohamed and Sarah Guirguis, The American University in Cairo

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: Central Michigan Life – by The Staff of Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Finalist: thepostathens.com - by The Staff of The Post, Ohio University
Finalist: statenews.com – by The Staff of The State News, Michigan State University

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Grand Central Magazine - by The Staff of Grand Central Magazine, Central Michigan University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Plan it ahead - by Sara Mohamed and Sarah Guirguis, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: High risk: Miami University's drinking problem - by A.J. Newberry and Céilí Doyle, Miami University
Finalist: WATCH: Here’s what you need to know before you vote tomorrow - by Connor Perrett, Marilyn Icsman, Marianne Dodson and Nate Doughty, Ohio University

Videography

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: "In the last ten years, we've just lost so many" - by Whitney Burney, Michigan State University

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: I can't tell you how it warms your heart - by Macy Krupiczewicz, Michigan State University
Finalist: We'll be doing this 'till we die - by Gabriella Galloway, Michigan State University

Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Feel close to him - by Griffin Wasik, Michigan State University
Finalist: Fulfilling a dream - by Matt Mika, Michigan State University

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Paris under attack: American abroad - by Nate Doughty, Ohio University

Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Battling fate - by Josh Barnhart, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Dixieland comes to High Street in Morgantown - by Ella Jennings and Lauren Caccamo, Reed College of Media
Finalist: Ministries of Cedarville - by Erica Zichi, Cedarville University

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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