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Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards 2023 winners announced
CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Specialist, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
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 SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.
Print/Online
Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: OPD use of force investigation by Sean Scott, Alice Momany, The Miami Student, Miami University
Breaking News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Federal work study program to end between March 19 and April 1 by Erin Yudt, The Globe, Point Park University
General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: In East Palestine, life inches towards normal by Morgan Schneider, Oxford Stories on Medium, Miami University
Finalist: Working nine-to-life by Brody Serravalli, The Lantern, The Ohio State University
Finalist: Examining Miami's drinking culture by Evan Stefanik, The Miami Student, Miami University
General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Crossroad ministries bring hope to residents of Xenia nursing home by Avonlea Brown, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Firearm found in Dolan Hall before Thanksgiving break, investigation under way by Laken Kincaid, The Carroll News, John Carroll University
In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: The cost of convenience by Ryan Maxin, The Post, Ohio University
Finalist: This is absolutely heartbreaking: Miami considers eliminating majors in the humanities by Kasey Turman, Taylor Stumbaugh, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Path to the Oval Office: is Carter qualified? by Phoebe Helms, Josie Stewart, The Lantern, The Ohio State University
In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: Interim president Chris Brussalis appointed ninth university president by Jake Dabkowski, Erin Yudt, The Globe, Point Park University
Finalist: Life on the Great Lakes by Heidie Senseman, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Thrifting a way of life by Maggie Fipps, Chloe Smith, Cedars, Cedarville University
Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: Miami ... merged by Lily Wahl, Taylor Stumbaugh, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Airy v. Ohio U: How mental health crises are dealt with at Ohio U by Madeline Harden, The New Political, Ohio University
Finalist: Love birds, peony fields and chocolate hearts: Two professors marriage story by Ryann Beaschler, The Miami Student, Miami University
Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: One and only RandyLand by Mackenzie Phillips, Off the Bluff Magazine, Duquesne University
Finalist: Christians confront the possibilities and impossibilities of AI by Alan Brads, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Trundle Manor's 'Addams Family' by Megan Trotter, Off the Bluff, Duquesne University
Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: Ryland Zaborowski doesnt let autism stop him from crushing baseballs by Jack Schmelzinger, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Jonathan Smith preparing to build a new life, culture with Michigan State football by Colby Schikora, Spartan Sports Report, Michigan State University
Finalist: Women's Basketball: Ticket office registers highest numbers in six years by Jayla Vanhorn, The Lantern, The Ohio State University
Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: Born to Win: Addy Miller looks to continue impressive coaching career at Cedarville by Julia Swain, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Freshman point guard Ethan Sellars finds fulfillment off the basketball court by Alan Brads, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: Ethan Cunningham tumbles his way onto Cedarville cheer by Maggie Fipps, Cedars, Cedarville University
Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: Let's talk about methane by Ava Kalina, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Columns by Isabella Zinchini, The News Record, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Commentary by Virginia Doherty, KentWired.com/The Kent Stater, Kent State University
General Column Writing
Winner: Metal Mondays by Jackson McCoy, The Post, Ohio University
Sports Column Writing
Winner: SportsMonday Columns by Nicholas Stoll, Paul Nasr, Connor Earegood, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Miami Student by Staff, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: The Michigan Daily by Staff, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Finalist: The Post by Staff, The Post, Ohio University
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Exponent by The Exponent, The Exponent, Baldwin Wallace University
Best Ongoing Student Magazine
Winner: The Burr by Staff, The Burr, Kent State University
Finalist: Rhythm by Staff, UP Magazine, Miami University
Finalist: Thread Magazine by Staff, Thread Magazine, Ohio University
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Post by Staff, The Post, Ohio University
Finalist: newsrecord.org by Staff, The News Record, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: The Miami Student website by Staff, The Miami Student, Miami University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The Michigan Daily by Staff, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Breaking News Photography
Winner: UC students hold protest in support of Palestine by Frank Bowen, Skylinn Jenkins, The News Record, University of Cincinnati
Finalist: Notorious party bus 'Cabbie D' struck on E 116th Street and Shaker Boulevard by Nick Sack, The Carroll News, John Carroll University
General News Photography
Winner: Hundreds of UMich students walk out for Palestine by Jeremy Weine, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: Walter E Havighurst special collections by Sarah Frosch, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Spiritual awakening by Logan Howard, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: The Driver Era and Almost Monday concert by Zoe Cranfill, The Post, Ohio University
Illustration
Winner: The latest buzz: UMich designated bee-friendly campus by Abby Schreck, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Sports Photography
Winner: Talawanda Track & Field sprints toward SWOC tournament by Pearl Zajbel, Oxford Observer, Miami University
Finalist: Miami brings home Victory Bell for the first time since 2005 by Jessica Monahan, The Miami Student, Miami University
Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Big, blank walls': Oxfords hidden vibrance by Ryann Beaschler, Medium.com, Miami University
Finalist: The Black hair series by Udoka Nwansi, Karis Clark, Akash Dewan, Eric Lau, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Finalist: The complexities and costs of an insured life by Jessica Opfer, Medium.com, Miami University
News Videography
Winner: Elliv: Illuminate was a Hit!! by Ian Chan, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: A fun-filled card game encourages spiritual growth in its players by JosephineSchmidt-Krayer, Cedars, Cedarville University
Finalist: K9s at the Ville presents: Valentines Puppy Party by Julia Mumford, Cedars, Cedarville University
Feature Videography
Winner: Serving others: The Cedarville fire department in action by Josephine Schmidt-Krayer, Cedars, Cedarville University
Data Visualization
Winner: Maps: See how Butler County turned out for Issues 1 and 2 by Sean Scott, Luke Macy, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: UMich class of 2027 by the numbers: Diets, dorms and data by Irena Li, Joey Lin, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Audio
Radio News Reporting
Winner: Some parts of Rural Ohio lack maternal care. Can midwives help? by Jenna Bal, Ideastream Public Media, Kent State University
Finalist: Solidarity rally by John Boggess, WMUL-FM, Marshall University
Radio Feature
Winner: Pumpkin house by Luke Hamilton, WMUL-FM, Marshall University
Finalist: Heights Now: Meet the man who 'makes them pay' by Laken Kincaid, Nick Sack, Evan Richwalsky, WJCU, John Carroll University
Finalist: Outside looking in by Nate Harrah, WMUL-FM, Marshall University
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: In the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment by Grace Springer, Sophia Lucente, Collaborative News Lab, Kent State University
Finalist: Abby Herring first female runner to qualify for Nationals by Ben Anderson, WMUL-FM, Marshall University
Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: End of season for the Herd and other reports by John Boggess, WMUL, Marshall University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Newscenter 88 by Staff, WMUL, Marshall University
Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: What happens on court stays on court by Hannah Campbell, Tate Raub, The Post, Ohio University
Finalist: People and Policies by Raquel Hirsch, Olivia Patel, The Miami Student, Miami University
Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Campus Carry bill just passed by Aaron Dickens, WVU News, West Virginia University
Television General News Reporting
Winner: WVU News - Cutting the cost of diabetes drugs by Lara Bonatesta, WVU News, West Virginia University
Finalist: Vaping in the Mountain State by Kaeli Ricottilli, WVU News, West Virginia University
Finalist: Candlelight vigil by Mackenize Dekker, Focal Point News, Michigan State University
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Athens farmer defies stereotypes by Morgan Anderson, WOUB Public Media, Ohio University
Finalist: Forest of decisions by Ethan Hunter, Focal Point News, Michigan State University
Finalist: Ramadan in our community by Kaeli Ricottilli, WVU News, West Virginia University
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Akron nonprofit turns Metro bus into Carvan of Love by Alexandra Manthey, KentWired.com/TV2, Kent State University
Finalist: Drug court program by Lara Bonatesta, WVU News, West Virginia University
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Mountaineer Playbook: Bridge Day by Elizabeth Carey, Mountaineer Playbook, West Virginia University
Finalist: Mountaineer Playbook: Esports by Riley McIlmoyle, Mountaineer Playbook, West Virginia University
Finalist: Take Me Home Country Roads by Sean Lowdermilk, WVU News, West Virginia University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: TV2 News for Dec. 7, 2023 by Staff, KentWired.com/TV2, Kent State University
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: WVU News by Staff, WVU News, West Virginia University
All Platform
Campus Reporting
Winner: Cultural diversity in Miami performing groups and other columns by Sean Scott, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Miami University: The kingdom of air purifiers? by Anastasija Mladenovska, The Miami Student, Miami University
Cultural Criticism
Winner: Literary reviews by Lily Wahl, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Film Reviews by Luke Macy, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Critiques on film and television by Stella Powers, The Miami Student, Miami University
Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: We can't cook by Sean Scott, Devin Ankeney, The Miami Student, Miami University
Regional Political Reporting
Winner: How will SB83 impact DEI initiatives at John Carroll University? by Laken Kincaid, The Carroll News, John Carroll University
Science/Environment/Climate Reporting
Winner: Saving balloons worth of money with helium reclamation by Austin Smith, The Miami Student, Miami University
Finalist: Pretty pest: The invasive species taking over the Midwest by Alton Northup, The Kent Stater/KentWired, Kent State University
Finalist: Local voices spread secondhand love by Sarah Kennel, The Miami Student, Miami University
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