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Region 7 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 7 with 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 7 comprises Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. 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 7 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
Winner: Johnson County homes, businesses damaged after tornadoes hit Eastern Iowa by Sabine Martin, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Provost says eliminating programs and faculty positions is unavoidable by Andrew Kennard, Times-Delphic, Drake University
Finalist: KU Athletics kicks students out of Allen Fieldhouse by Matthew Petillo, University Daily Kansan, University of Kansas
General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Capitalism with a heart': How Ho-Chunk Inc. strengthens tribal community in Winnebago by Brian Beach, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Finalist: Chipotle Union series by Cuyler Dunn, The Lawrence Times, University of Kansas
General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: President Martin explains higher pay during year of faculty salary cuts by Lia Reichmann, Mackenzie Swenson, Andrew Kennard, Times-Delphic, Drake University
In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: Midwives treat the growing maternal health desert in Iowa by Emily Nyberg, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: We're still here by Angelina Edwards, Maggie Trovato, Mae Bruce, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Finalist: Sticker shock': Greek house values skyrocket after review. The tax bills come next. by Kloee Sander, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: The anti-suburbia by McCade Gowdy, Urban Plains, Drake University
Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: The unluckiest guy from mid-Missouri by Austin Woods, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Finalist: Cougars in the Wild: Alumna worked in TV industry before returning as broadcast engineer by Chloe Wolfe, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Finalist: Heres to Herky: A look back on Herky the Hawks 75 years as a beloved mascot by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: When the cameras leave by Lincoln Roch, Drake Mag, Drake University
Finalist: We can bring back the stars by CJ Younger, Urban Plains, Drake University
Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: Makes the young ones believe: Iowa guard Caitlin Clarks immeasurable impact on womens sports by Kenna Roering, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Winner: Makes the young ones believe: Iowa guard Caitlin Clarks immeasurable impact on womens sports by Kenna Roering, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: A star born before dawn: The Cody Schrader story by Wendell Shepherd Jr., Columbia Missourian, University of Missouri
Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: For the Dogs by CJ Younger, Urban Plains, Drake University
General Column Writing
Winner: Pride Month reviews by John Carter Jr., Tiger Media Network, Fort Hays State University
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Daily Iowan by Staff, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: The Alestle by Staff, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: Times-Delphic by Staff, Times-Delphic, Drake University
Best Ongoing Student Magazine
Winner: Drake Political Review by Staff, Drake Political Review, Drake University
Finalist: Drake Mag by Staff, Drake Mag, Drake University
Finalist: Vox Magazine by Staff, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: VoxMagazine.com by Staff, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Finalist: Alestlelive.com by Staff, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Breaking News Photography
Winner: Preacher gets noise complaint amid conflict with students by Maximilian Lenhart, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Finalist: Encampment fire by Jordan Barry, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
General News Photography
Winner: Eating disorder clinic by Grace Smith, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Students stand in solidarity for peace in Palestine by Chloe Wolfe, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Feature Photography
Winner: Men's soccer shuts out SLU, takes Bronze Boot by Chloe Wolfe, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Finalist: Fireworks by Cody Blissett, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: Midwives treat the growing maternal health desert in Iowa by Emily Nyberg, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Entering Everett: A neighborhood of diversity, strength and community by Ellie Kuckelman, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Finalist: Iowa hosts first womens wrestling dual by Grace Smith, Ayrton Breckenridge, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Illustration
Winner: Artists vs. AI by Amy Scott, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Photo Illustration
Winner: Women who lift by Morgan Williams, Sydney Lukasezck, Ava Horton, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Finalist: Dying art by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher, Emily Nyberg, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Sports Photography
Winner: Steeplechase by Ayrton Breckenridge, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Balance beam by Ayrton Breckenridge, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Crossover at Kinnick by Grace Smith, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Clean up on aisle Kinnick: the messy outcome after game day by Isabelle Foland; Staff, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Students complete research at Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation by Alicia Feyerherm, Tiger Media Network, Fort Hays State University
Finalist: Disking the river: How Platte River Management makes crane migration possible by Marissa Lindemann, Platte Basin Timelapse, University of Nebraska
News Videography
Winner: Students protest University of Iowa Matt Walsh visit by Matt Sindt, Cody Blissett, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Feature Videography
Winner: The underground of Ellinwood by John Billinger, Tiger Media Network, Fort Hays State University
Data Visualization
Winner: Guns in Iowa by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher, Liam Halawith, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Finalist: Caitlin Clark by Jami Martin-Trainor, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Audio
Radio News Reporting
Winner: Lets not lose our humanity at this time by Anna Colletto, KBIA, University of Missouri
Radio Feature
Winner: Uncertainty over Loaves and Fishes move sows worry in Columbia homeless community by Harshawn Ratanpal, KBIA, University of Missouri
Finalist: Autumn birding in Nebraska: An experience for all by Hallie Gutzwiller, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Finalist: A BUZZworthy collaboration: UNL Bee Club and Reactor Coffee create a fun drink by Jackson Reddick, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Columbia's call for safety and responses to national school shootings by Halle Jackson, KBIA, University of Missouri
Finalist: Obstacles after incarceration by Katie Quinn, KBIA, University of Missouri
Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Very few disc golfers are women. One local player works to get more women on the course by Halle Jackson, KBIA, University of Missouri
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Morning Newscast by Staff, KBIA, University of Missouri
Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: The Subgenropedia by Alex Neill, 90.3 KRNU, University of Nebraska
Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: Studio B Session by Connor McGovern, Abigail Ruhman, Sarah Petrowich, Jamie Baker, KBIA, University of Missouri
Finalist: Alestle After Hours by Hannah Ledford, Dylan Hembrough, Mary Kate Castleman, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Finalist: Above the Fold by Natalie Dunlap, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Matt Walsh's Lecture Sparks Protests on Campus by Ashley Weil, DITV, University of Iowa
Finalist: Iowa City pro-Palestine protesters share their perspective by Ashley Weil, DITV, University of Iowa
Television General News Reporting
Winner: Veterans Day by Olivia Moss, Autumn Garrett, Jacob Henry, Aric Avey, The Point News Magazine, College of the Ozarks
Finalist: UI Introduces a virtual reality 'Metaversity' by Ashley Weil, DITV, University of Iowa
Finalist: Civil engineers work to combat O street's accidents by Nathan Hawkins, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: First week by Clancy Callahan, David Mazula, Jacob Henry, Jaden Lester, The Point News Magazine, College of the Ozarks
Finalist: Children's trick or treat by Clancy Callahan, Jaden Lester, Matthew Clark, The Point News Magazine, College of the Ozarks
Finalist: Hot Dog Gun means a whole lotta fun this fall by Max von Gries, DITV, University of Iowa
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S. by Anne Gallagher, Nebraska News Service, University of Nebraska
Finalist: An inside look at Iowa soil richness by Cara Dulin, DITV, University of Iowa
Finalist: Restrictions at Catholic hospitals recue abortion access, even in blue states by Naomi Delkamiller, News 21, University of Nebraska
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: National champions by Clancy Callahan, Cienna Romines, Jaden Lester, The Point News Magazine, College of the Ozarks
Finalist: Iowa Women's Wrestling dominates first-ever home duals by Michael Merrick, DITV, University of Iowa
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: DITV by Staff, DITV, University of Iowa
Finalist: Nebraska Nightly by Staff, Nebraska Nightly, University of Nebraska
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: The Point Newscast by Aric Avey, Cienna Romines, David Mazula, Bethany French, The Point Newsroom, College of the Ozarks
All Platforms
Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Unbound Book Festival preview by Ezra Bitterman, McKenna Neef, Jane Steinbrecher, Natalie-Elizabeth Tan, Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Campus Reporting
Winner: After two years, still no progress on proposed ISB 2 to replace Haworth Hall and other columns by Matthew Petillo, University Daily Kansan, University of Kansas
Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Metro East Eats by Staff, The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Regional Political Reporting
Winner: Daily Iowan Political Reporting by Liam Halawith, The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Science/Environment/Climate Reporting
Winner: Students complete research at Fort Leavenworth military reservation by Alicia Feyerherm, Tiger Media Network, Fort Hays State University
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