Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Director of Communications and Marketing, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org


INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 12 with 2018 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 12 comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Western Tennessee. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of March 30 at the Region 12 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 San Antonio.

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 12 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Matthew Kent 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: Wolf signs bills giving some non-violent offenders a ‘clean slate’ in life – by Lasherica Thornton, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Chancellor, campus leaders condemn post made by Ole Miss alumnus – by Staff of The Daily Mississippian, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Special session fails again – by Paul Braun, Tryfon Boukouvidis and Drew White, Louisiana State University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Mid-City fire destroys local businesses – by Caleb Beck, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Westboro Baptist Church met with counter-protesters at Loyola – by Rhon Ridgeway, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Pepperdine student killed at Borderline Bar and Grill shooting – by Kaleb A. Turner, Harding University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: LSU students using GroupMe for class could be in violation of Code of Student Conduct – by Luke Jeanfreau, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Drag queen story time – by Julissa Lopez and Brianne Hendricks, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Finalist: Student Snapchat post ignites racial controversy, backlash – by Shelby Evans and Dyllan Levenson, University of Arkansas

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Campus shooting leaves one wounded – by Averi-Alexya Beck, Grambling State University
Finalist: What would you do? GSU trains students to be active bystanders – by De’Anthony Taylor, Grambling State University
Finalist: Visitation’s cancellation – by Jessie Smith, Harding University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Dangerous roads: 41 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles on LSU’s campus since 2013 – by Brittany Lofaso and Kennedi Walker, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Former student media worker charged with sexual battery; pretended to be enrolled at MTS – by Megan Cole, Middle Tennessee State University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: A numbers game – by Jessie Smith, Harding University
Finalist: Bourbon Street dancers fight back – by Mairéad Siobhán, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Upperclassmen reflect on their time living in Biever as future freshmen classes continue to grow – by Seán Brennan, Loyola University New Orleans

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A farmer’s forgiveness: One man’s journey to peace – by Hayden Goodridge, Middle Tennessee State University
Finalist: Gay student endures conversion therapy, accepts his sexuality – by Chase Reavis, University of Arkansas
Finalist: In light of #MeToo movement, more students seeking support – by Claire Bermudez, Caroline Fenton and Payton Ibos, Louisiana State University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Mr. Spring Sing – by Savanna DiStefano, Harding University
Finalist: D&D Creations assures that Mardi Gras fashion goes off seamlessly – by Andres Fuentes, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Alum debuts 1st film at festival in Atlanta – by Malik Walaker, Grambling State University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Women, guns and a haunting – by Brianne Hendricks, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Vomiting at the Finish Line; Boys will be Boys; Dear Parents – by Kaleb A. Turner, Harding University
Finalist: Sarah-Renee Garner columns – by Sarah-Renee Garner, Grambling State University
Finalist: Averi-Alexya Beck columns – by Averi-Alexya Beck, Grambling State University


Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: ‘He’s freakish’: Auburn native Avery Atkins finds unexpected home at LSU as kickoff specialist – by Brandon Adam, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Mind and body: How do Louisiana colleges help athletes maintain their mental health? – by Dylan Alvarez, Brennen Normand and Jace Mallory, Louisiana State University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Twin brothers help Loyola golf team to best season yet – by Brian Wollitz and Seán Brennan, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Zoie Miller leads the Wolf Pack in her final year – by Jillian Oddo, Loyola University New Orleans

Sports Column Writing
Winner: The tailgate; The agony of defeat; Welcome to the club – by Jack Allen, Harding University

Editorial Writing
Finalist: Maroon editorials – by Nick Reimann and Tyler Wann, Loyola University New Orleans

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Mississippian – by Staff of The Daily Mississippian, University of Mississippi
Finalist: The Daily Helmsman – by Staff of The Daily Helmsman, University of Memphis

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Arkansas Traveler – by Staff of Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas
Finalist: The Daily Reveille - by Staff of The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University
Finalist: The Loyola Maroon – by The Loyola Maroon, Loyola University New Orleans

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: From seduction to slavery – by Catherine Shackelford, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Odd one out – by Jake Halbert, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Land of the free, home of the refugee – by Andrea Johnson, University of Arkansas

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Hill Magazine – by Staff of Hill Magazine, University of Arkansas
Finalist: Legacy – by Staff of The Legacy, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Circle & Square – by Mackenzie Ross, University of Mississippi

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Honoring King’s legacy – by Ariel Cobbert, University of Mississippi

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Despite setbacks, Buku Festival triumphs – by Angelo Imbraguglio, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Emo Night NOLA promotes inclusive atmosphere for locals – by Julia Santos, Loyola University New Orleans

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Harding students; after chapel; quotation marks – by John David Stewart, Harding University
Finalist: Nautical imagery – by Haley Hynes and Katelyn Fecteau

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: James Meredith says it’s time for a change in me – by Billy Schuerman, University of Mississippi

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Tracing haunts of the Galloway Ghost – by Sterling McMichael, Harding University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: #TheMentalIssue – by Emily Griffin, Harding University
Finalist: Civil-rights activist Frankie Henry shows cigarette burns – by Ellen Butterfield, Lipscomb University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Baseball vs. Notre Dame – by Whitney Williston, Louisiana State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Garrison Matthews drives to the basket – by Mckenzi Harris, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Running past the competition – by Sterling McMichael, Harding University
Finalist: Eli Pepper drives to the basket – by Erin Franklin, Lipscomb University

Radio

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: May 14, 2018 newscast – by Spencer Boehme, Peyton Rodgers, Charissa Ricker and Cavin Jacobson, Lipscomb University

Radio Feature
Winner: Nashville Elvis Festival – by Cavin Jacobson, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Nashville Cars ‘n’ Coffee – by Spencer Boehme, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Michael Rish, hurricane survivor – by Victoria Hosey, University of Mississippi

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Meek social media post forum – by Victoria Hosey, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Csaszar – by Erik Piccoli, Louisiana State University


Television

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Modern mastectomy – by Rachel Handley, Louisiana State University
Finalist: MBA students found cheating on exam – by Cavin Jacobson and Maria Morales, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Restoring Baton Rouge’s dying lakes – by Madeline Adams, Louisiana State University

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Ole Miss community reacts to controversial Facebook post – by Madison Scarpino, University of Mississippi

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Gorilla lady – by Brittany Lofaso, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Ear protection rings true for Loyola musicians – by Anna Knapp, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Mosquito control – by Amanda Kitch, Southeastern Louisiana University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Marlain Veal – by Andrew Scherer, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: Student athletes and mental health – by Dylan Alvarez, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Lady Lions softball vs. Abilene Christian – by Freddie Rosario, Southeastern Louisiana University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: NewsWatch Ole Miss – by Staff of NewsWatch Ole Miss, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Northshore News – by Staff of The Southeastern Channel’s Northshore News, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: The Maroon Minute – by Amy Ngo, Loyola University New Orleans

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: HU16 News Elections – by HU16 News Election Team, Harding University

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Activists fight for equality at New Orleans Women’s March – by Caleb Beck, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Ole Miss student copes with the hurricane destruction of her hometown – by Victoria Hosey, Madison Scarpino and Abbie McIntosh, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Strippers and workers protest the Bourbon Street raids – by Mairéad Siobhán and A. Sofia Samayoa, Loyola University New Orleans

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Botanical workshop turns International Women’s Day green – by Brian Wollitz and Seán Brennan, Loyola University New Orleans
Finalist: Lipscomb plays host to Dove Awards for sixth year in a row – by Charissa Ricker, Lipscomb University
Finalist: For Dad: How glioblastoma bonded, inspired two Lipscomb volleyball players – by Russell Vannozzi, Lipscomb University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Westside: 20 years later – Staff of Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University
Finalist: African American students, faculty aim to make UM more inclusive – by Gracie Snyder, Sarah Liese and Lauren Conley, University of Mississippi

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Behind the name: The unseen side of Brent Stockstill – by Tyler Lamb, Middle Tennessee State University
Finalist: More Moran: Once-injured Lipscomb guard ready to get back on the court – by Russell Vannozzi, Lipscomb University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Finalist: Columns on Colin Kaepernick, Stephon Clark and blackface – by LeBron Hill, Lipscomb University

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: LSUNow.com – by Staff of The Reveille, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Sidelines – by Staff of Sidelines, Middle Tennessee State University
Finalist: Arkansas Traveler – by Staff of Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Finalist: Lumination Network – by Erin Franklin, Russell Vannozzi, Cole Gray and Spencer Boehme, Lipscomb University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Hurricane Harvey: After the storm – by University of Mississippi student media staff, University of Mississippi
Finalist: Reflections of the past – by Jordan Huntley and Chance Gowan, Harding University
Finalist: Lipscomb plays host to Dove Awards for sixth year in a row – by Staff of Lumination Network, Lipscomb University

Podcast
Winner: The Deadline – by Zach Shappley, Harding University
Finalist: Lipscomb Thinks: Capital punishment – by Abraham Jubran, Lipscomb University
Finalist: Voices of Confinement: Holding on to heritage – by Chloe Warren, Louisiana College


Videography

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Riland’s story – by Bon Wells, Louisiana State University

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Mosquito control – by Amanda Kitch, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: Fuller homes – by Schuylar Ramsey, Southeastern Louisiana University

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Krentel homicide – by Amanda Kitch, Southeastern Louisiana University
Finalist: Auto enthusiasts – by Claes Olsson, Louisiana State University
Finalist: Cici’s Pizza – by Parker Berthelot, Southeastern Louisiana University

Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Lions Basketball vs. LSU – by Dylan Domangue, Southeastern Louisiana 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 SPJ Foundation.

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