CONTACTS:
Jim Highland, SPJ Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs, home: 270/781-2907; work: 270/784-8853; or james.highland@wku.edu
Guy Baehr, SPJ Awards and Honors Committee Chairman, 732/826-2687 or guybaehr@aol.com
Bobby Deckard, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317/927-8000 ext. 215 or bdeckard@spj.org


INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists today announces the national finalists for the 2001 Mark of Excellence Awards for outstanding student journalism.

This year’s competition drew more than 2,700 entries in 45 categories for print, radio, television and online collegiate journalism. Since 1972, the Society has presented the Mark of Excellence Awards.

“The Mark of Excellence competition represents some of the finest examples of collegiate print, broadcast and photojournalism in the country,” said SPJ Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Jim Highland, director of print journalism at Western Kentucky University. “That is what we will be honoring in Fort Worth. National achievements such as these help young journalists increase their career possibilities following graduation.”

The national winners will be announced and receive their awards Sept. 12-14 as part of the 2002 SPJ National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This was probably the most competitive Mark of Excellence contest so far,” said Guy Baehr, chairman of SPJ’s Awards and Honors Committee. “Total entries increased by almost a third over last year. We expected some increase with the addition of nine new online categories, but in fact, most of the almost 700 additional entries were in categories other than online.”

Before reaching the national competition, students placed first in SPJ’s regional competitions, which were judged this past spring. Complete lists of regional winners can be found at www.spj.org. National and regional contest judges are selected from among the Society’s members and from non-members across the nation, each of whom has established a reputation for journalistic excellence in his or her own right.

The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to improving and protecting journalism. It is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

2001 MARK OF EXCELLENCE NATIONAL FINALISTS (in random order)

NEWSPAPER CATEGORIES

Editorial Writing
- The Arkansas Traveler editorial board, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark.
- Berkley Beacon staff, Emerson College, Boston, Mass.
- Jen Miller, University of Tampa, Tampa, Fla., The Minaret

Editorial Cartooning
- Nate Beeler, American University, Washington, D.C., The Eagle
- Jake Dill, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., The Daily
- Steven Olexa, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., The Daily Beacon

General Column Writing
- Hilary Hilliard, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., The Red & Black
- Dan Kaffine, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., The Aquin
- Laura Sahramaa, University of Virginia, Reston, Va., The Cavalier Daily

Sports Column Writing
- Eric Nelson, Brigham Young University - Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, BYU-I Scroll
- Bert Sanders, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark., The Arkansas Traveler
- Stephen C. Smith, Jr., Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, Times Record News

Spot News Reporting
- “9-11-01,” College Heights Herald staff, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
- “Our Pearl Harbor,” Tanna Barry, Jill Halbasch and Linda Cammack, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, The Signpost
- “Riots!,” Melissa Huelsman, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, The News Record
- “Seattle Shakes,” Staff of The Daily, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

General News Reporting
- “Beyond Diversity: Finding Acceptance,” Andy Woolard, Kristin Callaway and Chris Moon, Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan., The Baker Orange
- Coverage of Oklahoma State plane crash, Staff of The Daily O’Collegian, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
- “The State of the Faculty,” Michelle Evans, Brandon Sokol, Craig Greiwe, Wil Myers, Jessica Schaab and R.J. Taylor, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., The DePauw

In-Depth Reporting
- The Lack of Intermediate Care for the Mentally Ill, Scott Spilky, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill., The Octopus
- “Majority of juveniles in adult prisons will stay there,” Barney Gimbel, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., published in The Palm Beach Post
- “Many Faces, One Maryland,” Elizabeth Cogan, Arheun Kim, Laurent Thomet, Greg Lamm, Robert F. Patrick, Jennifer Larson and Kate Alexander, University of Maryland, Washington, D.C., Capital News Service

Feature Writing
- “Five Hearts” series, Matthew D. LaPlante, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., The Daily Barometer
- “Picking up the pieces: Journalists cope after September 11,” Catherine Matacic, University of Maryland, College Park, Ma.
- “Not a complete failure,” Keri Modrall, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press Newspaper

Sports Writing
- “A little extra push,” Derek Boss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., Kansas State Collegian
- “Football players at maximum density,” Albert Breer, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, The Lantern
- “Fourth down and no graduation to go,” Miki Meek, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, The Daily Universe

BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENT NEWSPAPER CATEGORIES

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
- The Daily Barometer, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.
- The Daily Texan, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- The Lantern, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published 2 to 4 days a week)
- The Breeze, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
- College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
- The Round Up, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.

Best All Around Non-Daily (published at least once a month)
- The Carolina Reporter, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
- Mesa State College Criterion, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colo.
- The Sentinel, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

MAGAZINE CATEGORIES

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
- “An Exercise in Fertility: Selling sperm and eggs for cash and cause,” Michelle Beaver, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., State Press Magazine
- “You are a woman. You are pregnant,” Tim Bugansky, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, The Burr
- “To Make a Home,” Josh Knaub, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb., Reflections on the Little Bighorn

Best Student Magazine (published once a year)
- CURIO, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
- Flux Magazine, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
- Reflections on the Little Bighorn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.
- Voices from the War Zone, IUPUI, Indianapolis, Ind.

Best Student Magazine (published more than once a year)
- The Burr, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
- Spectrum Magazine, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.
- Verite, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, La.

PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES

Spot News Photography
- “Hope,” Kevin German, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., published in The Seattle Times
- “Flooded,” Robert Natt, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., The Breeze
- “Fire in the Fort,” Michael McCormack, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn., The Daily Beacon

General News Photography
- “Steamed Over Power Plant,” Matt Anderson, Western Washington University, Seattle, Wash., The Skagit Valley Herald
- “Day of the dream,” Matt Slocum, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn
- “We will not be the same,” David Yerby, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark., The Arkansas Traveler

Feature Photography
- “The World’s Lost Souls,” Leigh Patton, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., The Marquette Tribune
- “New York aftermath,” Lucian Read, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press Online
- “Capital with a View,” Lynn L. Walters, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 515 Magazine

Photo Illustration
- “Virtual Enrollment,” Thomas Cordy, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky., College Heights Herald
- “Father Figure,” Kevin German, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., The Daily Evergreen
- “Promised Land,” Sam Walter, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla., Static magazine

Sports Photography
- “Head over Heels,” Jennifer Buchanan, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., The Daily
- “So Close,” Mike Ekern, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., The Aquin
- “Champions,” Matt Slocum, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn

RADIO CATGEORIES

Radio Spot News Reporting
- “Salt Shortage,” Lisa Klinkner, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisc., WUEC-FM
- “CSU Clark Building Fire,” Marika Krause, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., KCSU-FM
- “Normal Fire,” Vicky Tsoumbakopoulos, Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., WZND Radio

Radio Feature
- “Skateboarding Damage,” Johanna Feaster, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.
- “E. Harlam Mural,” Patricia Nazario, Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., WFUV-FM and NPR
- “Saturday School,” Laura Spencer, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo., NPR’s Weekend All Things Considered and KCUR-FM

Radio In-Depth Reporting
- “Energy,” Jeffrey Charpentier, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisc., WUEC-FM
- “Centre Region Growth,” Amy DiElsi, Penn State University, State College, Pa., WKPS
- “Date Rape,” Karla Hernandez, California State University-Northridge, Northridge, Calif., KCSN

Radio Sports Reporting
- “Business of Sports: Baseball Contraction,” Jason Fischer, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisc., WRPN-FM
- “Rashidi Wheeler Feature,” Ben Adler, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., WNUR-FM
- “Profs Pre-Game,” Derek Jones, John Sadak and Mark Kasubinski, Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J., WGLS-FM

Radio Daily Newscast
- KULV Newscast, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., KULV
- WRPN Local News, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisc., WRPN-FM

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Television Spot News Reporting
- “Florence Murders,” Danielle Dellerson and Natalya McLees, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont., Montana PBS
- “Suicide Attempt,” Brent Kocal, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
- “Franklin St. Gas Fire,” Tim Nelson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., Carolina Week

Television General News Reporting
- Sept. 11th Team Coverage,” Kyle Bosch, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., Campus Cable
- “D.C. Angels,” Abbie Boudreau, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., Fairfax (Va.) County Cable
- “LST 325,” Kelle Vereen, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala., Jag-TV News

Television Feature Reporting
- “Jets fest,” Michael Artsis and Paul McAniff, New York Institute of Technology, L.I. News Tonight
- “Turkey Caller,” Marianne Martinez, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., KOMU-TV
- “Daniel Obregon,” Daniel Aviles, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., LVTV-3

Television In-Depth Reporting
- “Prudential Investigation,” Kurt Silver, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., KOMU-TV
- “Nursing Homes,” Mike Dello Stritto, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV
- “Breaking Through the Silence: The Realities of Sexual Assault on a College Campus,” Cheri Honda, Andrew Forsch Miedt, Michelle Pleny, Regan Zee Buyth, Dale Comer, Cale Holmes, Cyndy Willis and Beverly Matis, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., KCNS-6

Television Sports Reporting
- “ASU Runners,” Jeff Lasky, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
- “In the Red: A look at the Ohio University Athletics,” Larry O. Seward II, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, WOUB-TV Newswatch
- “Fighting Illini Wheelchair Basketball: A Tradition of Success,” Soham Vaishnav and Dominick Stasi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill., UI-7 Cable

Television News Photography
- “Diffusing Danger,” Robert Gajdecki, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., CTV
- “War Protest,” Scott Hums, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, WCRH-TV and CNN
- “U.S. Flag Shortage,” Christian Sorge, Univeristy of Maryland, College Park, Ma., UMTV-Comcast Cable

Television Feature Photography
- “Plato’s Cavern,” Daniel Aviles and Enrique Gutierrez, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., LVTV-3
- “Rook Week 2001,” Jason Kauffin, Marshall Lee, Edina Na-Song Khla, Dan Robinson, Kyle Blaikie and Jason Raposa, Norwich University, Northfield, Va., WCAX-TV
- “Sugar Cane,” Sean Lewis, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV

Television Sports Photography
- “Fanatic Fan,” Dan Bubany, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
- “Courage & Chaos,” James Harvey, Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., TV-10 News
- “Basketball: Lutes vs. Pacific Boxers,” Troy Oppie, Michael Fox, Kristen Diercks, Andy Loe, Jeff Wrenson, Dan Gomez and Ryan Tootell, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., KCNS-TV

Television Daily Newscast (telecast at least 4 days per week)
- KBYU Newsnet, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, KBYU
- Maryland Newsline 2001, University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism, College Park, Ma., UMTV-Comcast Cable
- WUFT-TV, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV

Television Non-Daily Newscast (telecast 1 to 3 times per week)
- “Arkansas on Campus,” University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark., UATV
- KCNS-TV Weekly Newscast, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.
- “MU Report,” Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va., WBPY

ONLINE CATEGORIES

Online Spot News Reporting
- “A day we’ll never forget: A special section of Dateline Alabama,” Staff of Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- “Election 2001,” Staff of Golden Gate [X]press Online, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif.
- “Attila Cosby trial coverage,” Jason Steinhardt, Jason Safdie and Kate Stepan, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., The GW Hatchet Online

Online General News Reporting
- “What to believe?,” Julie Acosta, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press
- “USU student finds bacteria gene that repairs damage from sun,” Holli Gunnell, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe
- “Tragedy Jolts Nation,” The Independent Flordia Alligator Online Staff, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

Online Feature Reporting
- “The ultimate Christmas gift,” Doug DeBiase, Penn State University, Hollidaysburg, Pa., The Carnegie Review
- “When second comes first,” Major Highfield, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dateline Alabama
- “Breaking the cycle of delinquency: Therapy, talking, working, schooling…and bobbing chicken heads,” Ruth Turner, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe

Online In-Depth Reporting
- “The status of ethnic women at the University,” Becky Bosshart, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nev., Zephyr
- “Switzerland’s Long Road to Europe,” Kari Neumeyer, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., Basler Zeitung online
- “Political Ethics in Maryland,” Amy Silva, University of Maryland, College Park, Ma., Maryland Newsline

Online Sports Reporting
- “Aggies end Lady Mavs season on three games,” Pat Gillespie, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn Online
- “Ray Day in Boston,” Noah Pransky, Boston University, Boston, Mass., BostonBruins.com
- “Landeta reflects on record, Redskins,” Adam S. Reisinger, Towson University, Towson, Md., The Towerlight Online

Online Opinion and Commentary
- Leon Paul D’Souza, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe
- Bradley E. Guire, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dateline Alabama
- “Sports Bytes,” Adam S. Reisinger, Towson University, Towson, Md., The Towerlight Online

Best All-Around Online Student Newspaper
- ASU Web Devil, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
- The Falcon Online, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Wash.
- Indiana Digital Student, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

Best All-Around Online Student Magazine
- Golden Gate [X]press Online, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif.
- GWBlitz!, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
- Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.

Best All-Around Online Student Broadcast Station
- BYU NewsNet, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- Carolina Week Webcast, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication
- Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Hard News Cafe, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
- NUcomment.com, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.


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