CONTACT:
Heather Porter, Programs Director, 317-927-8000 ext. 204, hporter@spj.org
Beth King, Communications Manager, 317-927-8000 ext. 211, bking@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Region 12 Mark of Excellence Award winners for the 2005 calendar year. This year, collegiate journalists submitted more than 3,100 entries in 43 categories across SPJ’s 12 regions.

The honorees were awarded certificates on April 1 at the Region 12 Conference held at the University of Memphis. First place regional winners will advance to the national round of judging which takes place in early April. Winners will be announced in mid May.

For additional information on the Mark of Excellence Awards, please contact Heather Porter at 317-927-8000 ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization 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.

2005 Region 12 Winners:

Editorial Writing
•First Place: Justin Petruccelli, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, “Editorial Collection”
•Second Place: The Meter Staff, Tennessee State University, “Short term thinking hurts students in the long run.”
•Third Place: The Meter Staff, Tennessee State University, “Students should take health seriously.”

Editorial Cartooning
•First Place: Josh Morgan, Grambling State University, “Cartoon Collection”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

General Column Writing
•First Place: Marisa Darby-Turner, Grambling State University, “Editor’s Perspective”
•Second Place: Darryl D. Smith, Grambling State University, “Editor’s Perspective”
•Third Place: no award

Sports Column Writing
•First Place: Kyle Roberts, Louisiana Tech, “Sports Column Collection”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

General News Reporting
•First Place: Michael Grant, Grambling State University, “Total chaos”
•Second Place: Sharon Moore, Louisiana Tech, “Reneau touts Tech’s big year”
•Third Place: Ginger Bigson, Louisiana State University, “Protestors lead to peaceful protest march”

In-Depth Reporting
•First Place: Marie Elizabeth de Mahy, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “From trash to treasure”
•Second Place: The Meter Staff, Tennessee State University, “Hurricane Katrina Coverage”
•Third Place: The Meter Staff, Tennessee State University, “Presidential Search”

Feature Writing
•First Place: Jennifer Dreisbach, University of Arkansas, “A senior moment”
•Second Place: Marissa DeCuir, Louisiana State University, “Remembering fallen soldiers”
•Third Place: no award

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published at least 4 days per week)
•First Place: Staff, University of Tennessee, “The Daily Beacon”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published at least once per week)
•First Place: Staff, Grambling State University, “The Gramblinite”
•Second Place: Staff, Louisiana Tech, “The Tech Talk”
•Third Place: Staff, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “The Vermillion”

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
•First Place: Marie Elizabeth de Mahy, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “The Wilbert Rideau Saga”
•Second Place: Marissa Frayer, Louisiana State University, “The Price of Redevelopment”
•Third Place: Kevin Allen, Louisiana Tech, “The Prices and the Priceless”

Best Student Magazine (published more than once per year)
•First Place: Staff, Louisiana State University, “Legacy Magazine”
•Second Place: Staff, Volunteer State Community College, “The Pioneer”
•Third Place: Staff, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “Verite”

Breaking News Photography
•First Place: Wesley Putt, University of Arkansas, “Disgrace”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

General News Photography
•First Place: Kimberly Whitfield, Grambling State University, “An evening with Cornel West”
•Second Place: Rosayln Stokes, Louisiana Tech, “Durrel Smith”
•Third Place: Reggie Reed, Grambling State University, “Bayou Classic Katrina Sign”

Feature Photography
•First Place: Kenneth Cunnings, Tennessee State University, “Cingular tour stops at TSU”
•Second Place: Kimberly Whitfield, Grambling State University, “Fun with the arts”
•Third Place: no award

Photo Illustration
•First Place: Ashley Coussou, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “Abbeville: Mecca for oyster connoisseurs”
•Second Place: Michael Grant, Grambling State University, “Valentine’s Day 2005”
•Third Place: Michael Grant, Grambling State University, “Is merging good”

Sports Photography
•First Place: Darryl D. Smith, Grambling State University, “Bayou Classic”
•Second Place: Melissa Humble, Louisiana Tech, “Tech senior guard”
•Third Place: Darryl D. Smith, Grambling State University, “Soccer loss”

Radio In-Depth Reporting
•First Place: Jennifer Bobo, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “Hurricane Katrina Impact Series”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

Radio Newscast
•First Place: Staff, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, “Louisiana Focus”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

Television General News Reporting
•First Place: Katie Murry, University of Arkansas, “Avian Flu”
•Second Place: Jennifer Adkins, University of Arkansas, “Return to Iraq”
•Third Place: no award

Television Feature
•First Place: Jennifer Adkins, University of Arkansas, “Mall-o-Ween”
•Second Place: Kelly Foisner & Charles Frazier, University of Arkansas, “Texas Hold’em”
•Third Place: no award

Best All-Around Online Student Newspaper
•First Place: Staff, University of Tennessee-Martin, “The Pacer Online”
•Second Place: no award
•Third Place: no award

###