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Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced
Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Zoλ Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
Regional winners would normally be recognized at regional conferences, however, all SPJ Regional Conferences have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail.
National winners will be notified in the late spring.
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 Matthew Kent via email or phone at 317-920-4788.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: One stable after Ohio State campus-area shooting by Sam Raudins and Lantern Staff, Ohio State University
Finalist: Athens police face backlash from social media users, UC student leaders over weekend arrest by Keely Brown, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Call 9-1-1, I feel like Im going to die. Miami frat suspended and members face criminal charges by Tim Carlin, Ceili Doyle and Rachel Berry, Miami University
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Harrison Dillard, 1949 grad and four-time Olympic gold medal winner, passes away by Charlie Egli, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: University considering breaking Methodist affiliation by Emma Selmon, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: Lightning strikes Saylor Hall, starts fire by Skylar Sakonyi, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Ohio Universitys party school reputation fell off in the 2010s by Keri Johnson, Ohio University
Finalist: Fighting for life: How an infestations pest has killed eastern hemlock trees across Appalachia by Ashton Nichols, Ohio University
Finalist: Snow day by Daily Athenaeum staff, West Virginia University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Waynesburg police carry Narcan to save more lives by Rachel Pellegrino, Waynesburg University
Finalist: LGBTQ issues lead BW to sever 174-year Methodist affiliation by Emma Selmon and Kasey Hughes, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: CASA volunteers advocate for kids at risk in county by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Exploring the dark side of Greek life: FOIA request details more than a decade of accusations against Phi Sigma Phi by Melissa Frick, Andrew Mullin and Sara Kellner, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Meet the student who initiated an investigation into Athens City School Districts Title IX policies by Maggie Campbell, Ohio University
Finalist: Coverage of firing of Coach Jerry Reighard by Evan Petzold, Central Michigan University
In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Students visiting counseling center have tripled in year by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Drug disorder, by the numbers by Edward Boice, Waynesburg University
Finalist: Clery Act data shows small schools experience less crime by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: 107-year-old Miami alumna reflects on her college years by Alex Cox, Miami University
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Media therapy by Will Gorman, Miami University
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Myja White finds solace in creativity by Christopher Vinel, Miami University
Finalist: A father and son shared a sport. Now, they share a team. by Emily Dattilo, Miami University
Finalist: Antonio Plus 1 by Ian Kreider, Kent State University
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Back for more: 1 senior night not enough for Wolford by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
Finalist: The Carroll News sports writing by Kyle Kelly, John Carroll University
Finalist: Freshman QB racking up wins by Charlie Egli, Baldwin Wallace University
Sports Column Writing
Winner: Christopher Vinel, Miami University
Finalist: Brady Pfister, Miami University
Finalist: Kyle Kelly, John Carroll University
Editorial Writing
Winner: The Post editorials by Staff of The Post, Ohio University
Finalist: Editorial-in-chief by Douglas Soule, West Virginia University
Finalist: The Miami Student editorial writing by The Miami Students Editorial Board, Miami University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Central Michigan Life by Dylan Goetz and Emma Dale, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Cedars by Staff, Cedarville University
Finalist: The University Times by Donal MacNamee, Cormac Watson, Katy Amos and Aisling Marren, Trinity College Dublin
Collaborative Journalism
Collaborative Journalism
Winner: Generation Opioids by West Virginia University and George Washington University
Magazines
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Monument man by Ceili Doyle, Miami University
Finalist: Covering a crisis: Young journalists undertake heavy reporting on the Dayton shooting by Leanne Stahulak, Miami University
Finalist: Four-legged doctors by Carmen Nesbitt, Wayne State University
Best Student Magazine
Winner: In Living Color - by Staff of UP Magazine, Miami University
Finalist: Vol. 12, Issue 3: The Community Issue - by Staff, Ohio University
Finalist: YOU are Here by Staff, Ohio University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Lightning strikes Saylor Hall, starts fire by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Not just a body by Sophia Adornetto, Kent State University
Finalist: The story of Ben Schlater, the Vinton Elementary School teacher turned pro boxer by Blake Nissen, Ohio University
Finalist: Cincinnati Period Day rally by Mary LeBus, University of Cincinnati
Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Bold + Gold Festival by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students take to College Green to protest budget crisis by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University
General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Rakes progress by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: Passing the crown by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cal U for life by Lily Gongaware, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Wrestling champions by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: One of the giants of BW by Staff, Baldwin Wallace University
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Flying high by Sara Donato, Kent State University
Finalist: Redhawks host Toledo and look for fourth straight win by Macy Whitaker, Miami University
Finalist: West Virginia vs. Iowa State by Duncan Slade, West Virginia University
Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Header Soccer by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: Eyeing the enemy Football by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Finalist: Swimming by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Radio
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Newscenter 88 3-13-19 by Staff of Newscenter 88, Marshall University
Radio News Reporting
Winner: House fire shows communities kindness by Makaylah Wheeler, Marshall University
Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Jon Elmores legendary career by Tyler Kennett, Marshall University
Finalist: Taylor Porter feature by Andrew Rogers, Marshall University
Finalist: Marshall footballs evolving offense by Nick Verzolini, Marshall University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Campus shooting by Shayla Klein, West Virginia University
Finalist: I signed a lease to live there next year by Katie Birecki, Michigan State University
Finalist: We want to provide a future that people look forward to by Brandon Rothenberg, Michigan State University
Television General News Reporting
Winner: Continue to serve by Alyssa Burr, Michigan State University
Finalist: Transgender discrimination in the Mountain State by Darren Hartwell, West Virginia University
Finalist: Finding her voice by Kendall Ashman, Michigan State University
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Bridge day by Sarah Poteracki, West Virginia University
Finalist: Its more than just grass and dirt by Michael Epps, Michigan State University
Finalist: Play for pay by Joey Ellis, Michigan State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Inpatient care in the Mountain State by Sarah Poteracki, West Virginia University
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Crown Boxing Club teaching students more after school by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
Finalist: He just melted my heart, he was just that one kid I really liked by Christine Kanerva, Michigan State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Focal Point News 11-22-2019 by Staff of Focal Point, Michigan State University
Finalist: TV2 KSU Best Television Newscast Entry by Staff of TV2, Kent State University
Finalist: Oxford Weekly News by Staff of Oxford Weekly News, Miami University
Online
Online News Reporting
Winner: A harsh reality for undocumented immigrants in Butler County by Maia Anderson, Miami University
Finalist: ARMCO plant in New Miami: An environmental danger or economic opportunity? by Patrick Keck, Miami University
Finalist: Solutions Journalism: A review and analysis of patterns by Michigan State University School of Journalism Media, Society & Theory class, Michigan State University
Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Rebuilding families by Anna N. Saab, West Virginia University
Finalist: Were ready for a fresh start: The aftermath of a faculty union strike by Sarah Cavender, Wright State University
Finalist: Baileys Trail System: What its construction means for Athens County by Emily Crebs, Ohio University
Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: The Daily Northwestern and its impact on ethical journalism by Charlotte Caldwell, Ohio University
Online Sports Reporting
Winner: RedHawks win MAC championship by Massillon Myers, Miami University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Women Beyond Bars by Staff of WomenBeyondBars.com, West Virginia University
Podcast
Podcast
Winner: This Week @ TMS Does Miami fail sexual assault survivors? by Ben Deeter, Miami University
Finalist: Coping in college: Navigating mental health by Ceili Doyle and Megan Zahneis, Miami University
Finalist: Ministry Moments Podcasts by Breanna Beers, Cedarville University
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Theyre no different than traditional sports by Tony Black, Michigan State University
Finalist: How a bright idea turned into a BRITE business by Ruta Ulcinaite, Michigan State University
Finalist: New Michigan State bike lane by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: I dont know if I was nervous. I dont know if I was excited. by Tony Black, Michigan State University
Finalist: 30 years of student radio by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
Finalist: Ill plant trees as long as Im physically able to by Tony Black, Michigan State University
Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Its the best smell in the world by Michael Epps, Michigan State University
Finalist: A trip to Camp Randall by Ian Gilmour, Michigan State University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Cal Us club and organization fair, fall 2019 by Sam Kuhne, California University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: The demolition of Brown House by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University
Finalist: Aaron Rop: A journey from battling cancer to becoming a Chippewa by Ryan Wright, Central Michigan University
Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: March 2 shooting documentary: Looking back one year later by Natalie McCorvie, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Brownsville Sheetz Store marks grand opening by Colin Kirkwood, California University of Pennsylvania
Online/Digital Sports Videography
Winner: Yellow Jackets basketball travels to Ohio State by Jacob Bentley and Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
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