2015 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
Newspapers | Magazines | Art/Graphics | Radio | Television | Online
Click on each region's number to read a press release that contains a complete list of winners from that region.
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The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the national winners of the 2015 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2015.
The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of a national honor. If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.
School divisions are based on student enrollment, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment. Schools with more than 10,000 students are designated as large schools.
National Mark of Excellence Award judges can choose up to one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up).
Winners and finalists were previously recognized by receiving first-place in one of the SPJ’s 12 regional competitions. Each first-place regional winner advanced to the national competition.
First-place national winners will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism 2016 conference in New Orleans. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “WPD arrest armed man near schools,” by Leah Wankum, University of Central Missouri
— National Finalist: “Guilty,” by Emma Ockerman, Ohio University
— National Finalist: “Task force recommends Northwestern begin academic year in August, still maintain quarter system,” by Alice Yin, Northwestern University
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “OBU nursing students serve as first responders at car accident,” by Emma Patton and Katherine Gilbert, Oklahoma Baptist University
— National Finalist: “Tulane discontinues student-run ambulance service,” by Kristen Stewart, Loyola University New Orleans
— National Finalist: “Flames engulf Pomona building,” by Jolene Nacapuy
Cody Luk, University of La Verne
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “A&M won’t discuss animal lab tests,” by Nicole Cobler, University of Texas at Austin
— National Finalist: “Mental health on campus,” by Mario Marroquin, Jennifer Meyers, Marley Paul and Meg McLaurin, Penn State University
— National Finalist: “ASCSU fails to comply with constitutional requirements, does not make all records available,” by Erin Douglas, Colorado State University
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “This Shouldn't Happen Here,” by Max Denning, Ithaca College
— National Finalist: “Data reveals funding disparity between UNA student organizations,” by Ashley Remkus, University of North Alabama
— National Finalist: “High-Tech and High-Touch: FIU Introduces 'Virtual' Dissection,” by Carolyn Holtzman, Washington and Lee University
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “The Brothel Next Door,” by staff of Capital News Service, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “BYU women victimized by 'catfish' relationship deception,” by Jenna Koford, Bret Henkel and Gianluca Cuestas, Brigham Young University
— National Finalist: “Two Days of Mental Health Coverage,” by staff, University of Oklahoma
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “The Emergency Care Crisis in Uganda,” by Jae Lee, Washington University in St. Louis
— National Finalist: “Transition: Transgender student finds a home / Transphobic Incident Spurs Pain, Action,” by Cheyenne Schoen and Lydia Laythe, University of Portland
— National Finalist: “Unaccompanied minors seek new homes and lives in NC,” by Katy Canada, Elon University
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “Skiing for the Team,” by Courtney Tanner, University of Utah
— National Finalist: “The Kings of Dixwell Avenue,” by Maya Averbuch, Yale University
— National Finalist: “Our Way of Life,” by Emily Barske, Iowa State University
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Hotdogs — a 'Life Changer' for Chili Man,” by Athena Cao, Washington and Lee University
— National Finalist: “An angel's vision,” by Danielle DiStefano, Lehigh University
— National Finalist: “Stoned, sober and all that’s in between: Students speak out on drug use at Oxy,” by Charlotte Umanoff and William Stupp, Occidental College
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “From Darkness to Dawn: Ivan Gonzalez won’t let his undocumented status slow him down,” by Hooman Yazdanian, University of California, Berkeley
— National Finalist: “God of the Playing Field,” by Caleb Lee, Samuel E. Liu and Ali M. Monfre, Harvard College
— National Finalist: “Mike Riley isn't following his father's footsteps anymore,” by Chris Heady, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Football attempts to move on to ‘new normalcy,’” by Alex Simon, Elon University
— National Finalist: “No fear: The Lauren Joseph story,” by Eden Laase, Gonzaga University
— National Finalist: “Married to the game,” by Kassandra Merritt, Grambling State University
Editorial Writing
National Winner: Staff, The GW Hatchet
— National Finalist: Editorial Board, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: The Crimson Editorial Board, Harvard College
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: Tim Balk, Northwestern University
— National Finalist: Yi Patrick An, University of Maryland College Park
— National Finalist: Mayra Rosales Montoya, Aisha Davis and Courtney Schwing, Eastfield College
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: Leena Dahal, Elon University
— National Finalist: Nikita Chirkov, Trinity University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner: Brian Rathbone, Oregon State University
— National Finalist: Ryan Baillargeon and Daniel Popper, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: Tim Balk, Northwestern University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: Iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
View sample issues: Issue 1 | 2 | 3
— National Finalist: The Daily Mississippian, University of Mississippi
— National Finalist: Daily Bruin, UCLA
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: The Breeze, James Madison University
View sample issues: Issue 1 | 2 | 3
— National Finalist: Central Florida Future, University of Central Florida
— National Finalist: The DePaulia, DePaul University
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner: Vox Magazine, University of Missouri-Columbia
— National Finalist: Alice Magazine, The University of Alabama
— National Finalist: The Meek Report, Meek School of Journalism and New Media, University of Mississippi
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner: “The death penalty in Missouri from A to Z,” by Vox staff, University of Missouri-Columbia
— National Finalist: “Science in the Sky,” by Jasper Scherer, Northwestern University
— National Finalist: “American Writer,” by Clinton Crockett Peters, University of North Texas
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Black Lives Matter protest,” by Jonathan Glover, Central Washington University
— National Finalist: “Goal posts torn down, tear gas used, several arrested after National Championship win,” by Yann Schreiber, The Ohio State University— National Finalist: “State flag rally and protests,” by Deja Samuel, University of Mississippi
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Protest in Bowman Park,” by Rebeca Bagdocimo, DePauw University
— National Finalist: “LGBT issues addressed on campus,” by Rebecca Dietrich, Slippery Rock University
— National Finalist: “It's Getting Hot In Here,” by Al Drago, Elon University
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “The Last Shot,” by Jacob Byk, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Bras For A Cause,” by Stephanie Distasio, Penn State
— National Finalist: “Candlelight vigil honors student,” by Richard Hoang, University of Texas Arlington
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Lean on Me,” by Al Drago, Elon University
— National Finalist: “SPU John Perkins - Chapel,” by Christopher Yang, Seattle Pacific University
— National Finalist: “Icepocalypse,” by Grant Schol, Harding University
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Seattle group’s training program saves lives of moms and babies in Kenya,” by Paul Nevin, University of Washington
— National Finalist: “Festival of Colors,” by Richard Hoang, University of Texas Arlington
— National Finalist: “Maasai Women: Breaking Out of the Boma,” by Sydney Combs, University of Chicago
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Heaven on Wheels,” by Ethan DeGree, Minnesota State University Moorhead
— National Finalist: “Photo series: Obsessions,” by LuAnne DeMeo, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta
— National Finalist: “Cal U twirlers incorporate gymnastics and dance into their performances,” by Matt Palichat, California University of Pennsylvania
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner: “Food Issue,” by Rori Kotch, Claudia Fernandes-Hernandez, Allie Pakrosnis, Valentina Escotet, University of Miami
— National Finalist: “Columbia's Sweet Treats,” by Alex Menz, University of Missouri-Columbia
— National Finalist: “Technological Meltdown,” by Alberto Calderon and Luz Aramburo, Southwestern College
Photo Illustration, Small School Division
National Winner: “Obsessively compulsive & totally disordered,” by LuAnne DeMeo, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta
— National Finalist: “Close 2 the Heart,” by Taylor Schley, Baker University
— National Finalist: “A Day in the Life: Zaid Hearst,” by Rebecca Castagna, Quinnipiac University
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Airborne,” by John Baranoski, Penn State
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Rugby Prom,” by Al Drago, Elon University
— National Finalist: “Men's basketball gets back on roll,” by Kameron Casey, University of Indianapolis
— National Finalist: “Lose Ball,” by Ryan Sullivan, Gonzaga University
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner: Gareth Bentall, Virginia Commonwealth University
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner: “Rated No. 1 Courtney Conlogue Seeks World Championship Title,” by Quinn Owen, San Diego State University
— National Finalist: “Students March as Part of Selma Commemoration,” by David Caddell, Troy University
Radio Feature
National Winner: “The Journey: An Unaccompanied Minor's Story of Coming to the U.S.,” by Maira Perez, Mills College
— National Finalist: “Archeologists Uncover History in Morganton,” by Louis Fernandez, UNC-Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “Cayuga's Watchers,” by Kelli Kyle, Elena Piech and Riley Ludwig, Ithaca College
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “UnCharted Territory For a Brooklyn School,” by Levi Sharpe, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Busy Taxidermists,” by Ryan Nelson, University of Florida
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner: “Husker Countdown: Nebraska-BYU Football Suspensions,” by Tommy Rezac, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications
— National Finalist: “Spartans Are Hungry For More: MSU Media Day Recap,” by Blake Froling, Michigan State University
— National Finalist: “Jockeys: Misunderstood Athletes,” by Taylor Trache, University of Florida
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner: Carolina Connection, UNC-Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: Aaron Zufall and Riley Ludwig, Ithaca College
— National Finalist: “Long Story Short,” by Kelly Yeo and Yuri Enokida, UCLA
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner: “Akron Plane Crash,” by Alexa Maslowski, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Big Case Rocking a Small Community - Danny Heinrich,” by Brett Mensing, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: “Woman struck, killed at Downtown Crossing T Station,” by Catherine Casey and Amelia Fabiano, Emerson College
Television General News Reporting
National Winner: “Integrity Report,” by Katie Ryan, Brigham Young University
— National Finalist: “Middle School Garden,” by Danielle Maroney, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: “Text Neck,” by Maddie Gardner, UNC-Chapel Hill
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner: “Artist and ‘Bug Guy’ Christopher Marley,” by Nicolas Walcott, Dana Bredeweg and Chloe Huckins, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication
— National Finalist: “Child life specialists help young patients, families,” by Yahaira Jacquez, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
— National Finalist: “Grove Wall,” by Oliver Redsten, University of Miami
Television In-Depth Reporting
Watch online: Link 1 |
Link 2 |
Link 3
National Winner: “Woodburning Ban,” by Eric Mock, Brigham Young University
— National Finalist: “Changing Home: Small Town Survival,” by University of Montana Student Documentary Unit, University of Montana
— National Finalist: “Doomsday Warrior: The Story of George Andrie,” by Peter Basch, Michael Cianciolo and Brian Georgeson, Marquette University
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner: “‘I'll do it through you down here:’ The Kyle Cody Story,” by Megan O'Brien, Northwestern University
— National Finalist: “Rodeo Club,” by Joy Carey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications
— National Finalist: “The skater's edge: Evan Bender,” by Collette Del Poso and Iris Lee, UCLA
Television News and Feature Photography
National Winner: “Golden Knights,” by Josh Holland and Daniel Blommel, Western Kentucky University
— National Finalist: “Funerals for the Forgotten,” by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
— National Finalist: “ViewFinder: Ballet for Disabled Children,” by Karen Tang, University of Maryland
Television Sports Photography
National Winner: “ViewFinder: Troops Deploy Game Ball,” by Ricky Lasser and Karen Tang, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “Cross Country Runner Makena Morley,” by Peter Riley, University of Montana
— National Finalist: “Kicker Makes History,” by Joey McReynolds, Texas Christian University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner: Northwestern News Network, Northwestern University
— National Finalist: Centre County Report, Penn State University
— National Finalist: UATV, University of Arkansas
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner: “SAE Racist Chant,” by staff, University of Oklahoma
Read online: Link 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
— National Finalist: “Hooked: Tracking Heroin's Hold on Arizona,” by staff, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
— National Finalist: “The Missing,” by NYCity News Service staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner: “The Land of Royal Honey / The Beekeeper,” by Danielle Garcia, Tyler Cleveland and Laura Jarriel, University of North Texas
— National Finalist: “Dream and the War,” by Kae Holloway, Western Kentucky University
— National Finalist: “Street Scenes,” by Amanda Proscia, College of Communication Arts & Sciences
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “Crime & Campus,” by staff, Temple University
— National Finalist: “Feed Alabama,” by staff, The University of Alabama
— National Finalist: “America's Weed Rush: A News21 Investigation,” by staff, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner: Kaley LaQuea, University of Colorado
— National Finalist: John Irwin, Central Michigan University
— National Finalist: Megan Fleming, Pennsylvania State University
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner: “Moving beyond the arc,” by James Badas, Ashley Wu, Peter Chung and Raleigh Capozzalo, Yale University
— National Finalist: “More than a decade of drought: An oral history of the 2003-04 Blue Demons,” by Matthew Paras, Kirsten Onsgard and Mariah Woelfel, DePaul University
— National Finalist: “Outside the Ring,” by Daine Pavloski, Michigan State University
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner: “#MSKatrina10,” by staff, University of Mississippi
— National Finalist: “West Texas Water Issues,” by Sarah Self-Walbrick, Nicole Molter, Kaitlin Thogmartin and Anibal Galindo, Texas Tech University
— National Finalist: “Bridging Selma,” by staff, Reed College of Media and Morgan State University
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner: The Harvard Crimson Website, Harvard University
Best Digital-Only Student Publication
National Winner: PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods.com, Temple University
— National Finalist: Capital News Service, University of Maryland College of Journalism
— National Finalist: Flagler College Gargoyle, Flagler College
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner: University Chronicle Online, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: Lumination Network, Lipscomb University
— National Finalist: Flagler College Gargoyle, Flagler College