CONTACTS:
Jim Highland, SPJ Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs, 270/784-8853; or james.highland@wku.edu
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 2002 Mark of Excellence Awards for outstanding student journalism.

This year’s competition drew nearly 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. This year’s awards recognize work published or broadcast in 2002. Work published or broadcast while working as a student intern was also eligible.

“The Mark of Excellence competition represents some of the finest in collegiate journalism in the country,” said SPJ Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Jim Highland, director of print journalism at Western Kentucky University. “In Tampa we will be honoring these fine examples of good journalism. National recognitions such as these aid aspiring journalists and increase their career possibilities when they graduate into the professional world.”

The national winners will be announced and receive their awards at the Mark of Excellence Luncheon on Sept. 13 as part of the 2003 SPJ National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

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.

2002 MARK OF EXCELLENCE TOP NATIONAL FINALISTS (in random order)

NEWSPAPER CATEGORIES

Editorial Writing
- The Baylor Lariat staff, The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University
- Kevin M. Wingert, Wingspan, Laramie County Community College
- The Arkansas Traveler Editorial Board, The Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

Editorial Cartooning
- Martin Rene Lopez, El Conquistador, El Paso Community College
- Jake Dill, The Daily, University of Washington
- Dusty Higgins, The Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

General Column Writing
- Tai Shadrick, The Towerlight, Towson University
- “Sonya Says,” Sonya Sorich, Ripon College Days, Ripon College
- Mariano Castillo, The Battalion, Texas A&M University

Sports Column Writing
- Chris Korman, The Daily Collegian, Penn State University
- Tim Vacek, The Daily Beacon, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Ben Beaumont, The Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

Spot News Reporting
- “Shooting of 13-year-old linked to local murders,” Jonathan Cribbs and Jason Flanagan, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
- “Dorm Fire Coverage,” Brandon Sokol, Jen Nielsen, Carmeleta Pouse, Megan Hockley, Eric Aasen, Ian Prunty and Austin Diaz, The DePauw, DePauw University
- “Assault Suspect Arrested,” Vince Blaser, Josh Hardin and Summer McElley, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University

General News Reporting
- Series on Resignation of TU’s President, Mike Morris, Cailin McGough, Eric Brandner, Jennifer Hykes and Chris Terry, The Towerlight, Towson University
- “Despairing for children’s mental health, some parents give up custody,” Tim Higgins, The Associated Press, University of Missouri - Columbia
- “The Attic,” Brandon Swanson and Natasha Jaksich, The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University

In-Depth Reporting
- “Finding a Healthy Balance,” Kelli B. Grant, The Ithacan, Ithaca College
- “Prognosis Poor for Health Center?” Linnea Brown, The Central Florida Future, University of Central Florida
- “Rape Series: Reality of Rape,” The Lantern staff, The Lantern, Ohio State University

Feature Writing
- “The anatomy of forensics,” Staci Zavattaro, The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida
- “‘It’s Dick Cavett’,” Matthew Hansen, Lincoln Journal Star, University of Nebraska
- “Clans, Kin and Culture,” Kristen Inbody, Great Falls (Mt.) Tribune, University of Montana

Sports Writing
- “Checking In With the Nation’s Most Talented Trio of Signees,” Jamie Agin, The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- “The One,” Rob Meyer, Daily Kent Stater, Kent State University
- “Four of a kind,” Jason Graziadei, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University

BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENT NEWSPAPER CATEGORIES

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
- Daily Collegian, Penn State University
- Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
- The Daily Barometer, Oregon State University
- The Daily Texan, University of Texas at Austin

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published 2 to 4 times a week)
- The Towerlight, Towson University
- College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University
- Argonaut, University of Idaho

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published less than twice a week)
- The Oswegonian, State University of New York at Oswego
- Index, Truman State University
- The Sentinel, North Idaho College

MAGAZINE CATEGORIES

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
- “The New Catholics,” Andy Netzel, The Burr, Kent State University
- “Learning Disabled,” Mark Greer, City Limits Magazine, Northwestern University
- “Super-sized Nation,” Matthew Hansen, Battle of the Bulge, University of Nebraska

Best Student Magazine (published once a year)
- The New York Review of Magazines - NYRM, Columbia University
- Horizon, Mesa State College
- Flux, University of Oregon

Best Student Magazine (published more than once a year)
- Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University
- The Burr, Kent State University
- Detours Magazine, Truman State University

PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES

Spot News Photography
- “Thugs and Alcohol,” Zach Wittig, The Lantern, Ohio State University
- “Locker room fight,” Kevin German, sportsshooter.com, Washington State University
- “Maple Street Accident,” Aaron Esmaeilpour, The Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

General News Photography
- “Students Rally for Solidarity,” Saul Stoogenke, The Towerlight, Towson University
- “Budget woes worsen,” Luke Trautwein, Index, Truman State University
- “Footsteps of Faith,” Kevin German, St. Petersburg Times, Washington State University

Feature Photography
- “Teacher in Training,” Kevin Martin, The Eastern Progress, Eastern Kentucky University
- “The Primary Compound,” Chris Goodenow and Sarah Galbraith, The Planet magazine, Western Washington University
- “Gotta love this game,” David Harden, Arizona Daily Wildcat, University of Arizona

Photo Illustration
- “Career search,” H. Rick Mach, College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University
- “Credit Card Identity Theft,” Amy Thompson, The Marquette Tribune, Marquette University
- “Pure Rasta flavor,” David Yerby, The Arkansas Traveler, University of Arkansas

Sports Photography
- “Centre City Youth Blacktop Basketball,” Matthew Stanley, The Communicator, Penn State University
- “Tigers Outduel No. 9 Lehigh,” Lisa Johnson, The Towerlight, Towson University
- “Hockey,” Chris Machian, Gateway, University of Nebraska at Omaha

RADIO CATEGORIES

Radio Spot News Reporting
- “White Power Rally,” Matt Mauro, WRUF Radio, University of Florida
- “School of the Americas,” Danielle Cross, KBGA Radio, University of Montana
- “Arizona Wildfire Coverage - Evacuees,” Kate Davidson, NPR and KNAU-FM, University of California-Berkeley

Radio Feature Reporting
- “Delta Zeta Turns 100,” Brandon Millman, WMUL-FM, Marshall University
- “Home from Africa,” Jake Warga, Savvy Traveler, North Seattle Community College/Goldsmiths-University of London
- “Military wives await war,” Kate Davidson, KQED-FM, The California Report, University of California-Berkeley

Radio In-Depth Reporting
- “It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To,” Staff of Rowan Radio, WGLS-FM, Rowan University
- “Enough is Enough,” Sabrina Hall, WMUC Radio, University of Maryland
- “Helping the Homeless,” Erich Spivey, WRUF Radio, University of Florida
- “Student Fees,” Adam Hasan Ghassemi, KDCS, Drake University

Radio Sports Reporting
- “The Rivalry Show,” Tim Hagerty, WGMT-FM, Lyndon State College
- “Club Football,” Sudhir Kumar, www.carolinaweek.org, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- “Marshall University Volleyball Recap,” Vince Payne and Jennifer Pierce, WMUL-FM, Marshall University

Radio Daily Newscast
- WRUF Radio, University of Florida
- WWHR-FM, Western Kentucky University

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Television Spot News Reporting
- “Sniper Strikes Montgomery County,” Rishi Barran, UMTV, University of Maryland
- “Brentwood,” Joe Maxfield, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- “The Flame Within,” Adam Atchison, Campus Television Cable System, Colorado State University

Television General News Reporting
- “Video Games,” Beau Zimmer, WUFT-TV News 5, University of Florida
- “Remembering Senator Wellstone,” Amanda Lutz, Tanya Siedow and John Kasper, Campus Scope-STTV, University of St. Thomas
- “Teacher of the year,” Amanda Tutschek and Kirsten Hansen, NBC Montana, University of Montana

Television Feature Reporting
- “Boy’s State,” Kelly Kane, Miki Packett and Mark Winker, Norwich University
- “Neverending War,” Justin A. Herndon, KOMU News at Ten, University of Missouri - Columbia
- “Science Workshop,” Kim N. Dobitz and Jordan Caskey, KECI/NBC Montana, University of Montana

Television In-Depth Reporting
- “Hunter at UIC,” Marla Heiman, KOMU-NBC 8, University of Missouri - Columbia
- “Montana Journal: First on the Scene,” Broadcast Journalism Senior Class, Montana PBS, University of Montana
- “ASU Ecstasy Bust,” Syleste Rodriguez, Campus Ch. 2, Arizona State University

Television Sports Reporting
- “Rugby,” Steve Lyerly, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- “Curling in the U.S.,” Cory Morlock, Studio One, University of North Dakota
- “Young Gun QBs,” Dan Bubany, Campus Ch. 2, Arizona State University

Television News Photography
- “Powell in Court,” Barry Flynn, LSC-TV News 7, Lyndon State College
- “Brentwood,” Joe Maxfield, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- “A Church Divided,” Mark Kurtz, KVR News 9, University of Texas at Austin

Television Feature Photography
- “Lost Woodsman,” Jenny Kuglin, Montana PBS, University of Montana
- “Van’s Triple Crown Skate Park Extreme,” Nick Schober, LVTV-3 La Verne Community Television, University of La Verne
- “River Hostel,” Shelton Jacobs, UATV, University of Arkansas

Television Sports Photography
- “Warriors on the Warrior,” John Huddleston, Cat. 33 TV, University of Alabama
- “Seahawks Report: Hawks v. Broncos,” Ryan Tootell and Troy Oppie, KCNS-TV, Pacific Lutheran University
- “Artiste, The Superfan,” Kate Brandt, Campus Ch. 2, Arizona State University

Television Daily Newscast
- Maryland Newsline, UMTV, University of Maryland
- “News 5 at 5:30,” WUFT-TV News 5, University of Florida

Television Non-Daily Newscast
- Carolina Week, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- “Newsvision,” Maureen Capasso, UMTV, University of Miami
- “On the Hill,” UATV, University of Arkansas

ONLINE CATEGORIES

Online Spot News Reporting
- “Sorensen Resigns,” Staff, Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama
- “Architecture dean fired,” Dustin Eberhart, theshorthorn.com, University of Texas at Arlington

Online General News Reporting
- “Back to the Drawing Board - Redistricting in the Old Line State,” Maha Ezzeddine and staff, Maryland Newsline and Capital News Service, University of Maryland
- “Thugs and Alcohol,” The Lantern staff, thelantern.com, Ohio State University
- “Exchanging rent for mortgages,” Kristin English, CBSMarketWatch.com, Northwestern University

Online Feature Reporting
- “National Cherry Blossom Festival Through Maryland’s Eyes,” Nicole M. Richardson and Ming-Huey Jeng, Maryland Newsline, University of Maryland
- “City Café remains small town success,” Emily Kornegay, Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama
- “Porch Life,” Ben Finley, thelantern.com, Ohio State University

Online In-Depth Reporting
- “Back to the Booth: A Guide to the 2002 Elections,” Kenny Beck, Reginald Hart and Staff, Maryland Newsline and Capital News Service, University of Maryland
- “Good news for tourists: Sun-forecast to make long-awaited debut,” Tanya Caldwell, Florida Today Online, Florida A&M University
- “Unpopular column brings Tremonton student fame, grief,” Marie Griffin and Joseph M. Dougherty, Hard News Café, Utah State University

Online Sports Reporting
- “Farewell to Cole,” Nicole M. Richardson, Gloria Son, Maha Ezzeddine, Scarlett Morao and Staff, Maryland Newsline and Capital News Service, University of Maryland
- “Krenzel pulls rabbit out of hat,” Matt Duval, thelantern.com, Ohio State University
- “Conference Volleyball Tournament,” Angel Verdejo, theshorthorn.com, University of Texas at Arlington

Online Opinion and Commentary
- Kathleen Penton, Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama
- Leon D’souza, Hard News Café, Utah State University
- ASU Football columns, Michael Ferraresi, ASU Web Devil, Arizona State University

BEST ALL-AROUND ONLINE CATEGORIES

Best All-Around Online Student Newspaper
- thelantern.com, Ohio State University
- The Sentinel Online, Northern Idaho College
- ASU Web Devil, Arizona State University

Best All-Around Online Student Magazine
- Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University

Best All-Around Online Student Broadcast Station
- Carolina Week, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication
- Maryland Newsline, University of Maryland
- Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama

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