2001 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
Since 1972 the Society of Professional Journalists has presented the Mark of Excellence Awards honoring the best in student journalism. Judged at the regional and national level, the awards offer 45 categories for print, radio, television, and online collegiate journalism. Regional award winners are honored at SPJ's spring regional conferences with national winners announced in Quill and honored at the 2002 SPJ National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. The competition was open to anyone enrolled in a college or university and studying for an academic degree in 2001.
Newspapers |
Magazines |
Photography |
Radio |
Television
Newspapers
Editorial Writing
National Winner: Berkeley Beacon staff, Emerson College, Boston, Mass.
National Finalists:
— Jen Miller, University of Tampa, Tampa, Fla., The Minaret
— The Arkansas Traveler editorial board, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark.
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner: Nate Beeler, American University, Washington, D.C., The Eagle
National Finalists:
— Jake Dill, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., The Daily
— Steven Olexa, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., The Daily Beacon
General Column Writing
National Winner: Hilary Hilliard, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., The Red & Black
National Finalists:
— Dan Kaffine, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., The Aquin
— Laura Sahramaa, University of Virginia, Reston, Va., The Cavalier Daily
Sports Column Writing
National Winner: Eric Nelson, Brigham Young University - Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, BYU-I Scroll
National Finalists:
— Bert Sanders, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark., The Arkansas Traveler
— Stephen C. Smith, Sr., Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, Times Record News
Spot News Reporting
National Winner: "Our Pearl Harbor," Tanna Barry, Jill Halbasch and Linda Cammack, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, The Signpost
National Finalists:
— "Riots!," Melissa Huelsman, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, The News Record
— "Seattle Shakes," Staff of The Daily, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
— "9-11-01," College Heights Herald staff, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
General News Reporting
National Winner: "The State of the Faculty," Michelle Evans, Brandon Sokol, Craig Greiwe, Wil Myers, Jessica Schaab and R.J. Taylor, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., The DePauw
National Finalists:
— "Beyond Diversity: Finding Acceptance," Andy Woolard, Kristin Callaway and Chris Moon, Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan., The Baker Orange
— Covergae of Oklahoma State plane crash, Staff of The Daily O'Collegian, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: "Many Faces, One Maryland," Elizabeth Cogan, Arheun Kim, Laurent Thomet, Greg Lamm, Robert F. Patrick, Jennifer Larson and Kate Alexander, University of Maryland, Washington, D.C., Capital News Service
National Finalists:
— "Majority of juveniles in adult prisons will stay there," Barney Gimbel, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., The Palm Beach Post
— The Lack of Intermediate Care for the Mentally Ill, Scott Spilky, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill., The Octopus
Feature Writing
National Winner: "Five Hearts" series, Matthew D. LaPlante, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., The Daily Barometer
National Finalists:
— "Picking up the pieces: Journalists cope after September 11," Catherine Matacic, University of Maryland, College Park, Ma.
— "Not a complete failure," Keri Modrall, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press Newspaper
Sports Writing
National Winner: "Fourth down and no graduation to go," Miki Meek, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, The Daily Universe
National Finalists:
— "Football players at maximum density," Albert Breer, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, The Lantern
— "A little extra push," Derek Boss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State Collegian
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: The Daily Barometer, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.
National Finalists:
— The Lantern, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
— The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
— The Daily Texan, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper Newspaper (published 2 to 4 days a week)
National Winner: The Round Up, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.
National Finalists:
— College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
— The Breeze, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
12. Best All Around Non-Daily (published at least once a month)
National Winner: The Carolina Reporter, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
National Finalists:
— Mesa State College Criterion, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colo.
— The Sentinel, North Idaho College, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
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Magazines
Magazine Non-Fiction Article
National Winner: "You are a woman. You are pregnant," Tim Bugansky, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, The Burr
National Finalists:
— "An Exercise in Fertility: Selling sperm and eggs for cash and cause," Michelle Beaver, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., State Press Magazine
— "To Make a Home," Josh Knaub, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb., Reflections on the Little Bighorn
Best Student Magazine (published once a year)
National Winner: Flux Magazine, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
National Finalists:
— CURIO, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
— Reflections on the Little Bighorn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.
— Voices from the War Zone, IUPUI, Indianapolis, Ind.
Best Student Magazine (published more than once a year)
National Winner: The Burr, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
National Finalists:
— Spectrum Magazine, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.
— Verite, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, La.
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Photography
Spot News Photography
National Winner: "Hope," Kevin German, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., The Seattle Times
National Finalists:
— "Fire in the Fort," Michael McCormack, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn., The Daily Beacon
— "Flooded," Robert Natt, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., The Breeze
General News Photography
National Winner: "Steamed Over Power Plant," Matt Anderson, Western Washington University, Seattle, Wash., The Skagit Valley Herald
National Finalists:
— "Day fo the dream," Matt Slocum, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn
— "We will not be the same," David Yerby, University of Arkanas, Fayetteville, Ark., The Arkansas Traveler
Feature Photography
National Winner: "The World's Lost Souls," Leigh Patton, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., The Marquette Tribune
National Finalists:
— "New York aftermath," Lucian Read, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press Online
— "Capital with a View," Lynn L. Walters, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 515 Magazine
Photo Illustration
National Winner:
— "Promised Land," Sam Walter, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla., Static magazine
National Finalists:
— "Virtual Enrollment," Thomas Cordy, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky., College Heights Herald
— "Father Figure," Kevin German, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., The Daily Evergreen
Sports Photography
National Winner: "Head over Heels," Jennifer Buchanan, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., The Daily
National Finalists:
— "So Close," Mike Ekern, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., The Aquin
— "Champions," Matt Slocum, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn
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Radio
Radio Spot News Reporting
National Winner: "Salt Shortage," Lisa Klinkner, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisc., WUEC-FM
National Finalists:
— "CSU Clark Building Fire," Marika Krause, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., KCSU-FM
— "Normal Fire," Vicky Tsoumbakopoulos, Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., WZND Radio
Radio Feature
National Winner: "Saturday School," Laura Spencer, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo., NPR's Weekend All Things Considered and KCUR-FM
National Finalists:
— "Skateboarding Damage," Johanna Feaster, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.
— "E. Harlam Mural," Patricia Nazario, Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., WFUV-FM and NPR
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: "Energy," Jeffrey Charpentier, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisc., WUEC-FM
National Finalists:
— "Centre Region Growth," Amy DiElsi, Penn State University, State College, Pa., WKPS
— "Date Rape," Karla Hernandez, California State University-Northridge, Northridge, Calif., KCSN
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner:
— "Business of Sports: Baseball Contraction," Jason Fischer, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisc., WRPN-FM
National Finalists:
— "Rashidi Wheeler Feature," Ben Adler, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., WNUR-FM
— "Profs Pre-Game," Derek Jones, John Sadak and Mark Kasubinski, Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J., WGLS-FM
Radio Daily Newscast
National Winner: WRPN Local News, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisc., WRPN-FM
National Finalist:
— KULV Newscast, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., KULV
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Television
Television Spot News Reporting
National Winner: "Florence Murders," Danielle Dellerson and Natalya McLees, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont., Montana PBS
National Finalists:
— "Suicide Attempt," Brent Kocal, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
— "Franklin St. Gas Fire," Tim Nelson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., Carolina Week
Television General News Reporting
National Winner: "LST 325," Kelle Vereen, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala., Jag-TV News
National Finalists:
— Sept. 11th Team Coverage," Kyle Bosch, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., Campus Cable
— "D.C. Angels," Abbie Boudreau, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., Fairfax (Va.) County Cable
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner: "Daniel Obregon," Daniel Aviles, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., LVTV-3
National Finalists:
— "Jets fest," Michael Artsis and Paul McAniff, New York Institute of Technology, , L.I. News Tonight
— "Turkey Caller," Marianne Martinez, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., KOMU-TV
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: "Nursing Homes," Mike Dello Stritto, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV
National Finalists:
— "Prudential Investigation," Kurt Silver, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., KOMU-TV
— "Breaking Through the Silence: The Realities of Sexual Assault on a College Campus," Cheri Honda, Andrew Forsch Miedt, Michelle Pleny, Regan Zee Buyth, Dale Comer, Cale Holmes, Cyndy Willis and Beverly Matis, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., KCNS-6
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner: "Fighting Illini Wheelchair Basketball: A Tradition of Success," Soham Vaishnav and Dominick Stasi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill., UI-7 Cable
National Finalists:
— "ASU Runners," Jeff Lasky, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
— "In the Red: A look at the Ohio University Athletics," Larry O. Seward II, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, WOUB-TV Newswatch
Television News Photography
National Winner: "War Protest," Scott Hums, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, WCRH-TV and CNN
National Finalists:
— "Diffusing Danger," Robert Gajdecki, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., CTV
— "U.S. Flag Shortage," Christian Sorge, Univeristy of Maryland, College Park, Ma., UMTV-Comcast Cable
Television Feature Photography
National Winner: "Plato's Cavern," Daniel Aviles and Enrique Gutierrez, University of La Verne, La Verne, Calif., LVTV-3
National Finalists:
— "Rook Week 2001," Jason Kauffin, Marshall Lee, Edina Na-Song Khla, Dan Robinson, Kyle Blaikie and Jason Raposa, Norwich University, Northfield, Va., WCAX-TV
— "Sugar Cane," Sean Lewis, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV
Television Sports Photography
National Winner: "Fanatic Fan," Dan Bubany, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Cable Channel 2
National Finalists:
— "Courage & Chaos," James Harvey, Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., TV-10 News
— "Basketball: Lutes vs. Pacific Boxers," Troy Oppie, Michael Fox, Kristen Diercks, Andy Loe, Jeff Wrenson, Dan Gomez and Ryan Tootell, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., KCNS-TV
Television Daily Newscast (telecast at least 4 days per week)
National Winner: Maryland Newsline 2001, University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism, College Park, Ma., UMTV-Comcast Cable
National Finalists:
— KBYU Newsnet, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, KBYU
— WUFT-TV, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., WUFT-TV
Television Non-Daily Newscast (telecast 1 to 3 times per week)
National Winner: Arkansas on Campus, University of Arkanas, UATV
National Finalists:
— MU Report, Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va., WBPY
— KCNS-TV Weekly Newscast, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., KCNS-TV
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Online
Online Spot News Reporting
National Winner: "A day we'll never forget: A special section of Dateline Alabama," Staff of Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
National Finalists:
— "Election 2001," Staff of Golden Gate [X]press Online, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif.
— "Attila Cosby trial coverage," Jason Steinhardt, Jason Safdie and Kate Stepan, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., The GW Hatchet Online
Online General News Reporting
National Winner: "Tragedy Jolts Nation," The Independent Flordia Alligator Online Staff, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
National Finalists:
— "What to believe?," Julie Acosta, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif., Golden Gate [X]press
— "USU student finds bacteria gene that repairs damage from sun," Holli Gunnell, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner: "Breaking the cycle of delinquency: Therapy, talking, working schoolingÉ and bobbing chicken heads," Ruth Turner, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe
National Finalists:
— "The ultimate Christmas gift," Doug DeBiase, Penn State University, Hollidaysburg, Pa., The Carnegie Review
— "When second comes first," Major Highfield, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dateline Alabama
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: "Political Ethics in Maryland," Amy Silva, University of Maryland, College Park, Ma., Maryland Newsline
National Finalists:
— "The status of ethnic women at the University," Becky Bosshart, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nev., Zephyr
— "Switzerland's Long Road to Europe," Kari Neumeyer, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., Basler Zeitung online
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner: "Aggies end Lady Mavs season on three games," Pat Gillespie, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, The Shorthorn Online
National Finalists:
— "Ray Day in Boston," Noah Pransky, Boston University, Boston, Mass., BostonBruins.com
— "Landeta reflects on record, Redskins," Adam S. Reisinger, Towson University, Towson, Md., The Towerlight Online
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner: "Sports Bytes," Adam S. Reisinger, Towson University, Towson, Md., The Towerlight Online
National Finalists:
— Leon Paul D'Souza, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, Hard News Cafe
— Bradley E. Guire, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dateline Alabama
Best All-Around Online Student Newspaper
National Winner: The Falcon Online, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Wash.
National Finalists:
— ASU Web Devil, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
— Indiana Digital Student, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
Best All-Around Online Student Magazine
National Winner: Troubadour Magazine, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
National Finalists:
— Golden Gate [X]press Online, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, Calif.
— GWBlitz!, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Best All-Around Online Student Broadcast Station
National Winner: BYU NewsNet, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
National Finalist:
— Carolina Week Webcast, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner: NUcomment.com, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
National Finalists:
— Dateline Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
— Hard News Cafe, Utah State University, Logan, Utah