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


TAMPA, FLA. – The Society of Professional Journalists announced the 2002 Mark of Excellence Awards National Winners for outstanding student journalism last weekend as part of the 2003 SPJ National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

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

“Entrusting your work to the hand of a careful editor, or the scrutiny of readers is challenging enough,” Autumn Sanders, 2002-2003 student representative for the SPJ board of directors, told those attending the awards presentation. “Handing it over to be scrutinized by professionals shows that you want to know what it takes to be successful at the next level.” Sanders presented this year’s national online awards.

The national awards for newspaper, photography and magazine were presented by Todd Gillman, Washington correspondent for The Dallas Morning News and past chair of SPJ’s Awards and Honors Committee. The awards for radio and television were presented by Steve Geimann, policy team co-leader for Bloomberg News and vice president of the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation board of directors.

“The Mark of Excellence competition represents some of the finest examples of collegiate journalism in the country,” said SPJ Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Jim Highland, director of print journalism at Western Kentucky University. “Each year I am impressed by the caliber of work produced by the next generation of journalists, and I am honored that we continue to recognize their accomplishments.”

The national winners received their awards at a luncheon on Sept. 13. This year’s competition honored work published or broadcast in 2002.

Before reaching the national competition, students placed first in SPJ’s regional competitions, which were judged last spring. Complete lists of national and 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 NATIONAL MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

NEWSPAPERS CATEGORIES

Editorial Writing
First Place - The Arkansas Traveler Editorial Board, University of Arkansas. Published in The Arkansas Traveler.
Second Place - Kevin M. Wingert, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyo. Published in Wingspan.
Third Place - The Baylor Lariat staff, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Published in The Baylor Lariat.

Editorial Cartooning
First Place - Jake Dill, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash. Published in The Daily.
Second Place - Martin Rene Lopez, El Paso (Texas) Community College. Published in El Conquistador.
Third Place - Dusty Higgins, University of Arkansas. Published in The Arkansas Traveler.

General Column Writing
First Place - Tai Shadrick, Towson (Md.) University. Published in The Towerlight.
Second Place - Mariano Castillo, Texas A&M University, McAllen, Texas. Published in The Battalion.
Third Place - “Sonya Says,” Sonya Sorich, Ripon College. Published in Ripon College Days.

Sports Column Writing
First Place - Tim Vacek, University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Published in The Daily Beacon.
Second Place - Chris Korman, Penn State University, State College, Pa. Published in The Daily Collegian.
Third Place - Ben Beaumont, University of Arkansas. Published in The Arkansas Traveler.

Spot News Reporting
First Place - “Dorm Fire Coverage,” Brandon Sokol, Jen Nielsen, Carmeleta Pouse, Megan Hockley, Eric Aasen, Ian Prunty and Austin Diaz, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. Published in The DePauw.
Second Place - “Shooting of 13-year-old linked to local murders,” Jonathan Cribbs and Jason Flanagan, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. Published in The Diamondback.
Third Place - “Assault Suspect Arrested,” Vince Blaser, Josh Hardin and Summer McElley, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. Published in The Rocky Mountain Collegian.

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

In-Depth Reporting
First Place - “Rape Series: Reality of Rape,” The Lantern staff, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Published in The Lantern.
Second Place - “Prognosis Poor for Health Center?” Linnea Brown, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla. Published in The Central Florida Future.
Third Place - “Finding a Healthy Balance,” Kelli B. Grant, Ithaca (N.Y.) College. Published in The Ithacan.

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

Sports Writing
First Place - “Four of a kind,” Jason Graziadei, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. Published in The Rocky Mountain Collegian.
Second Place - “Checking In With the Nation’s Most Talented Trio of Signees,” Jamie Agin, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N. C. Published in The Daily Tar Heel.
Third Place - “The One,” Rob Meyer, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Published in Daily Kent Stater.

BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENT NEWSPAPERS CATEGORIES

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
First Place - The Daily Texan, University of Texas at Austin.
Second Place (tie) - Daily Collegian, Penn State University, State College, Pa.
Second Place (tie) - The Daily Barometer, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.
Third Place - Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (Published 2 to 4 times a week)
First Place - College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
Second Place - The Towerlight, Towson (Md.) University.
Third Place - Argonaut, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho.

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (Published less than twice a week)
First Place - The Sentinel, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Second Place - The Oswegonian, State University of New York at Oswego.
Third Place - Index, Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.

MAGAZINES CATEGORIES

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
First Place - “Learning Disabled,” Mark Greer, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Published in City Limits Magazine.
Second Place - “The New Catholics,” Andy Netzel, Kent State University. Published in The Burr.
Third Place - “Super-sized Nation,” Matthew Hansen, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. Published in Battle of the Bulge.

Best Student Magazine (Published once a year)
First Place - Flux, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
Second Place - The New York Review of Magazines NYRM, Columbia University, New York.
Third Place - Horizon, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colo.

Best Student Magazine (Published more than once a year)
First Place - Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University.
Second Place - The Burr, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
Third Place - Detours Magazine, Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.

PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES

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

General News Photography
First Place - “Footsteps of Faith,” Kevin German, Washington State University. Published in the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times.
Second Place - “Budget woes worsen,” Luke Trautwein, Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo. Published in Index.
Third Place - “Students Rally for Solidarity,” Saul Stoogenke, Towson (Md.) University. Published in The Towerlight.

Feature Photography
First Place - “Gotta love this game,” David Harden, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. Published in Arizona Daily Wildcat.
Second Place - “Teacher in Training,” Kevin Martin, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky. Published in The Eastern Progress.
Third Place - “The Primary Compound,” Chris Goodenow and Sarah Galbraith, Western Washington University. Published in The Planet magazine.

Photo Illustration
First Place - “Career search,” H. Rick Mach, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky. Published in College Heights Herald.
Second Place - “Credit Card Identity Theft,” Amy Thompson, Marquette University. Published in The Marquette Tribune.
Third Place - “Pure Rasta flavor,” David Yerby, University of Arkansas. Published in The Arkansas Traveler.

Sports Photography
First Place - “Hockey,” Chris Machian, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Neb. Published in Gateway.
Second Place - “Tigers Outduel No. 9 Lehigh,” Lisa Johnson, Towson (Md.) University. Published in The Towerlight.
Third Place - “Centre City Youth Blacktop Basketball,” Matthew Stanley, Penn State University, State College, Pa. Published in The Communicator.

RADIO CATEGORIES

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

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

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

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

Radio Daily Newscast
First Place - “Front Page on the Air,” WRUF Radio, University of Florida.
Second Place - WWHR-FM, Western Kentucky University.

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Television Non-Daily Newscast
First Place - “Newsvision,” UMTV, University of Miami.
Second Place - UATV, University of Arkansas.
Third Place - Carolina Week, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

ONLINE CATEGORIES

Online Spot News Reporting
First Place - “Sorensen Resigns,” Staff, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Published on Dateline Alabama.
Second Place - “Architecture dean fired,” Dustin Eberhart, University of Texas at Arlington. Published on theshorthorn.com.

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

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

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

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

Online Opinion and Commentary
First Place - Kathleen Penton, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Published on Dateline Alabama.
Second Place - Leon D’souza, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Published on Hard News Café.
Third Place - “ASU Football columns,” Michael Ferraresi, Arizona State University. Published on ASU Web Devil.

Best All-Around Online Student Newspaper
First Place - The Sentinel Online, Northern Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Second Place - ASU Web Devil, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
Third Place - thelantern.com, Ohio State University.

Best All-Around Online Student Magazine
First Place - Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University, Princeton, N. J.

Best All-Around Online Student Broadcast Station
First Place - Carolina Week, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication
First Place - Maryland Newsline, University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
Second Place - Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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