CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org
Ashlynn Neumeyer, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 2 with 2020 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 2 comprises Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. 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 SPJ’s national conference.

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 2 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email or 317-920-4786.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories were added this year for COVID-19 and video game reporting.

Newspaper

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: LeBlanc apologizes for ‘insensitive’ analogy amid backlash from SA, divestment activists - by Zach Schonfeld, The George Washington University
Finalist: Administrators investigating White history professor who falsely claimed Black heritage - by Lizzie Mintz, Sarah Roach, The George Washington University
Finalist: UMD lifts at least 10 suspensions after issuing 19 for noncompliance with COVID-19 rules - by Angela Roberts, University of Maryland, College Park

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Trump’s rally in Newport news: Visualized - by Claire Hogan, Jamie Holt, William & Mary

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: UMD workers union fights for improved COVID-19 protection - by Angela Roberts, Clara Longo de Freitas, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: UMD students fight for pass/fail grading option amid coronavirus pandemic - by Staff, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Several people allege sexual assault against alumnus, slam GW’s rape culture - by Tiffany Garcia, The George Washington University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Elon University ranks #371 for social mobility - by Grace Terry, Elon University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: At UMD, doctoral students depend on their advisers. What can happen when things go wrong? - by Angela Roberts, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: On Election Day, religion plays a key factor for some voters - by Moss Brennan, Appalachian State University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: An uphill battle: University of Puerto Rico students, professors respond to severe budget cuts - by Carmen Honker, William & Mary
Finalist: College history shapes students actions, demands for change - by Charles Coleman, Emma Ford, William & Mary
Finalist: As college sexual misconduct reports outpace investigations, community pushes for higher standards - by Leslie Davis, Charles Coleman, William & Mary

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The people behind the protests leading up to Joe Biden’s victory - by Diego Mendoza, The George Washington University
Finalist: ‘There’s hope’: How one DACA recipient journeyed to UMD and is fighting for a better life - by Amanda Hernández, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: ‘Billboard House’ illuminates suburban neighborhood with political activism - by Iman Mekonen, Virginia Commonwealth University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: In Salisbury, couple seeks to restore hope and dignity one shower at a time - by Victoria Fears, Salisbury University
Finalist: Kid take's stand for Assisi's animals - by Grace Mamon, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: Elon programs help extend education's reach - by Christian Galvano, Elon University

Sports Writing
Winner: ‘3, 2, 1. End injustice together’: App State football leads peaceful protest through Boone - by Silas Albright, Appalachian State University
Finalist: Maryland women’s soccer is unapologetically Black, and it wants young Black girls to know - by David Suggs, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Basketball alum draws from childhood hardships to guide youth with free clinics - by Noah Fleischman, Virginia Commonwealth University

Editorial Writing
Winner: Hatchet Editorial Board - by Editorial Board, The George Washington University
Finalist: The Diamondback Editorial Board - by Editorial Board, University of Maryland, College Park

General Column Writing
Winner: Malcolm Ferguson - by Malcolm Ferguson, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Hannah Thacker - by Hannah Thacker, The George Washington University
Finalist: Serena Saunders - by Serena Saunders, University of Maryland, College Park

Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Volume 116, Issue 26; Volume 117, Issue 5; Volume 117, Issue 12 - by Staff, The George Washington University
Finalist: The Diamondback - by Staff, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: The Appalachian - by Staff, Appalachian State University

Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small) 1-9,999+ Students
Winner: The Pendulum - by Staff, Elon University

Magazine

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Health care providers are missing chances to help vctims of sex trafficking - by Isabella Gomes, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Ink Magazine - by Staff, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Pwatem Literary and Art Journal - by Staff, Virginia Commonwealth University

Arts/Graphics

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Thousands march through District amid nationwide outrage over George Floyd’s death - by Zach Brien, The George Washington University
Finalist: I Am Change March - by Clare Grant, Elon University
Finalist: Thousands surround White House rejoicing historic presidential election - by Ari Golub, The George Washington University

General News Photography
Winner: The removal of the Stonewall Jackson monument. - by Megan Lee, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: County pastor leads hundreds in Black Lives Matter protest - by Joe Ryan, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Prince George’s County’s first female fire chief - by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park

Feature Photography
Winner: Lifting the trophy, Maryland men’s basketball celebrates first Big Ten title - by Joe Ryan, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Catawba County Black voices of leadership respond to police brutality - by Jesse Barber, Appalachian State University
Finalist: Basketball alum draws from childhood hardships to guide youth with free clinics - by Megan Lee, Virginia Commonwealth University

Photo Illustration
Winner: A clear victory - by Andy Caress, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: On Election Day, religion plays a key factor for some voters - by Jesse Barber, Appalachian State University
Finalist: Police reform - by Andy Caress, Virginia Commonwealth University

Sports Photography
Winner: Ram's senior forward Mike'l Simms - by Jon Mirador, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Maryland women's basketball's Taylor Mikesell celebrates yet another three-pointer - by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Maryland gymnastics celebrates season-high 196.975 - by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park

Data Visualization
Winner: Amid federal crackdown, GW reports about $135 million in foreign funds over five years - by Olivia Columbus, Parth Kotak, Zach Schonfeld, The George Washington University
Finalist: Dashboard: App State and Watauga County COVID case count - by Moss Brennan, Appalachian State University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: David Brown - by David Brown, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Horses n' heroes, shenanigans, still undecided? - by Alexandra Bowman, Georgetown University

Radio

Radio Feature
Winner: Educational journey: From Qena to Cairo - by Reem Elmaghraby, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: Christianity plus cattle: Cowboy churches are on the rise - by Annabeth Poe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: Psycho-education in the classroom in Egypt - by Nada Wahba AlNaggar, The American University in Cairo

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Choose to refuse: Escaping the cycle of addiction - by Nesrien Abdelkader, The American University in Cairo

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Charles Scott is disappointed that the UNC basketball museum omits much of his story - by Josh Conner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Carolina Connection: Feb. 29, 2020 - by Staff, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act - by Isabel Cleary, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: People's vaccine - by Zach Solon, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Winter weather in Boone - by Anna Muckenfuss, Appalachian State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Five months after Hurricane Dorian at the Abaco Lodge - by Payton Tysinger, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: Brandon Scott swearing-in - by Ya-Marie Sesay, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: A day in the life of a virtual school teacher - by Samantha Chaney, Howard University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Tanya Houppermans, shark photographer - by Jilly Kuehn, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: Wilderness run Alpine coaster - by Katie Garceran, Appalachian State University
Finalist: Jake Funk's comeback - by Morgan Weaver, University of Maryland College Park

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: NC childhood marriage - by Erin Jenkins, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: 30 Minutes Elon - Season 10 - by Staff, Elon University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Jake Funk's comeback - by Morgan Weaver, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Howard is the HBCU making headlines during college basketball's offseason - by Morgan Weaver, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: No fans in football stadium - by Connor Davidson, Appalachian State University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Capital News Service Livestream: Election 2020 - by Staff, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Elon Local News - by Staff, Elon University
Finalist: The Appalachian Weekly News - by Staff, Appalachian State University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: VCU InSight Newscast, December 2020 - by Sam Hooper, Tim Corley, Orizo Hajigurban, Virginia Commonwealth University

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Disconnected: Students struggle with e-learning obstacles, lawmakers earmark solutions - by Brenda Wintrode, Sean McGoey, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Virginia inmates frustrated by COVID-19 spike in prisons - by Joseph Whitney Smith, Sam Fowler, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Major campaign giving varies widely by race and geography in Maryland - by Gracie Todd, Aneurin Canham-Clyne, University of Maryland College Park

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Pregnancy in Prince George's County: Women reflect on bringing new life to state COVID-19 epicenter - by Angela Roberts, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Schools, nonprofits hustle to feed over a half million Virginia students - by Hannah Eason, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Professors foster online global food community for home cooks during COVID-19 - by Makaelah Walters, Appalachian State University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: The resurgence of leprosy in Brazil - by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University
Finalist: Life after registration - by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University
Finalist: For those raised in College Park’s Lakeland, the wounds left by its destruction remain - by Clara Niel, University of Maryland, College Park

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Lacrosse coach released from contract amid potential cuts to scholarships and roster spots of five players - by Spencer Nusbaum, American University
Finalist: ‘Good days add up’: Kerns leads App State basketball into new chapter - by Silas Albright, Appalachian State University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Andrew Sugrue - by Andrew Sugrue, The George Washington University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: As Juneteenth approached, students across the country protested racism and police brutality - by Staff, American University

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: Elon News Network - by Staff, Elon University
Finalist: The GW Hatchet - by Staff, The George Washington University

Videographyz

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Local artist memorializes lives lost to COVID-19 - by Kelsey Mannix, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: 'Let Them Play' : Dozens rally in Anne Arundel County to push for the return of high school sports - by Morgan Weaver, University of Maryland College Park
Finalist: Protesters gathered today to march against Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination - by Isabel Cleary, University of Maryland College Park

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Restaurant owners talk mental toll of pandemic on staff - by Dante Schulz, The George Washington University

Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: ‘Beauty in the Human Spirit’: David C. Driskell’s art legacy - by Amelia Jarecke, University of Maryland, College Park

Video Game Reporting

Video Game Reporting
Winner: Activating online success with eSports - by Lauren Singles, Elon University

Podcast

Podcast
Winner: Locked in Leonardtown - by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: CarolinaCast: Chapel Hill musicians adapt to performing in a pandemic - by Maria Cade, Meredith Radford, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: ‘Getting to the Bottom of It’: Grasping the March on Washington after months of protests - by Alec Rich, Gwyn Wheeler, The George Washington University

COVID-19

COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: ‘It feels like a void’: Grief through the eyes of one UMD student in the age of COVID-19 - by Clara Longo de Freitas, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Residents of UMD sorority house no longer quarantining after COVID-19 test mix-up - by Eric Neugeboren, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Disrupted trips and virtual traveling - by Mickey Hutchings, Appalachian State University

COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Lexington DMV is still closed, putting the brakes on many services - by Grace Mamon, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: Lexington looking up after pandemic slump - by Mary Alice Russell, Washington and Lee University

COVID-19: Video Coverage
Winner: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, UMD students are still going to bars - by Kimi Fleming, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: UMD freshmen adapt to college life during the pandemic - by Amelia Jarecke, Matt Perez, University of Maryland, College Park

COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography
Winner: Photo gallery: COVID-19 vaccine reaches the frontlines in the High Country - by Jesse Barber, Appalachian State University
Finalist: UMD classroom sanitized after possible coronavirus expose - by Julia Lerner, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: ‘Misinformation’ and ‘misunderstanding’: International Chinese students weigh in on coronavirus - by Arielle Bader, Eric Lee, Ari Golub, Donna Armstrong, The George Washington University


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