2016 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 2016 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2016.
The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only 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 were recognized at the Excellence in Journalism 2017 conference in Anaheim. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Harvard and Dining Workers Reach ‘Tentative Agreement,’” by Brandon J. Dixon, Hannah Natanson and Leah S. Yared, Harvard College
— National Finalist: “A murder-suicide stuns College Park,” by Michael Brice-Saddler, Andrew Dunn, Natalie Schwartz and Mina Haq, University of Maryland, College Park
— National Finalist: “Kesterson lawsuit,” by staff, Kent State University
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Basketball captain expelled,” by Maya Sweedler and Daniela Brighenti, Yale University
— National Finalist: “Gonzaga hires recently fired Mizzou professor Melissa Click,” by Andy Buhler and Kiki Serantes, Gonzaga University
— National Finalist: “Faculty members begin strike after not reaching a tentative contract,” by Dan DiFabio, Slippery Rock University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Agent, Smuggler Joined Together for Love and Money,” by Nicole Cobler, University of Texas at Austin
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3 | Link 4
— National Finalist: “Complaints filed against unlicensed counseling director,” by Ellie Smith, The George Washington University
— National Finalist: “Behind closed doors: Students forced to live with an accused rapist,” by Rachel Hinton, DePaul University
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Disconnected: Black students on The Bluff feel they don't belong,” by Malika Andrews, University of Portland
— National Finalist: “Living the Diversity Mission,” by Kristina Bugante, University of La Verne
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner: “Behind Closed Doors,” by Elizabeth Elkin, The University of Alabama
— National Finalist: “Miami University conducts its search for a new president in secret,” by Reis Thebault and Emily Tate, Miami University
— National Finalist: “Caring for the caregivers,” by Shreya Aiyar, Daniel Alcazar and Miriam Bribiesca, University of California Los Angeles
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner: “Ongoing drug issues addressed throughout community,” by Anthony Conn, Kimmi Baston, Teghan Simonton and Mattie Winowitch, Waynesburg University
— National Finalist: “Lost in Translation: Interpreter Shortage Deprives Justice in Santa Clara County Courts,” by John Flynn, Santa Clara University
— National Finalist: “Prevention requires discussion: Sexual assault & harassment,” by Hannah Kloppenburg and Kayleigh Thesenvitz, The University of Tulsa
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “Whiteclay, caring for kids with fetal alcohol disorders,” by Marcella Mercer and Calla Kessler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
— National Finalist: “The Plague of Pornography,” by Sarah Averett and Mariana Chrisney, Brigham Young University
— National Finalist: “The classroom, the ballot and the big bad wall: Oakland’s children tackle the Trump effect,” by Rosa Furneaux, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Flynn family goes back 100 years on same land,” by Savanah Weed, Troy University
— National Finalist: “Students dig up America's racist past,” by Jenna Rossiter and Clare Duffy, University of Portland
— National Finalist: “Serving Those with Addiction,” by Naomi Harward, Cedarville University
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: “Review of Big Ten athletic contracts finds team performance valued more than academic performance,” by Kevin Stankiewicz, Ohio State University
— National Finalist: “Breaking the Surface with Schuyler Bailar,” by Emma K. Talkoff, Harvard College
— National Finalist: “Finding Feller: A family on and off the court,” by Sojin Josephson, University of Montana
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “Overhand: How Bethlehem and baseball have bonded generations,” by Michael Reiner, Lehigh University
— National Finalist: “Men's rowing walk-on reawakens competitive spirit on the water,” by Justin Wiens, Gonzaga University
— National Finalist: “How Elon hosted a USA-USSR women's basketball game during the middle of the Cold War,” by Alex Simon, Elon University
Editorial Writing
National Winner: The Harvard Crimson Editorial Board, Harvard College
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3
— National Finalist: Michael Siebert with the Montana Kaimin editorial board, University of Montana
— National Finalist: Daily Bruin Editorial Board, University of California Los Angeles
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner: Tim Balk, Northwestern University
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3
— National Finalist: Morgan Hughes, Marquette University
— National Finalist: Daily Bruin Opinion, University of California Los Angeles
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner: “It's Complicated,” by Hannah Moore, Harding University
— National Finalist: Olivia Round, Loyola Marymount University
— National Finalist: Jane Seidel, Elon University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner: Jesse Dougherty, Syracuse University
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3
— National Finalist: Max Bultman, The University of Michigan
— National Finalist: Ethan Bauer, University of Florida
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
— National Finalist: The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University
— National Finalist: The Independent Florida Alligator, University of Florida
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner: The University Times, Trinity College Dublin
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner: The Burr, Kent State University
— National Finalist: Marquette Journal, Marquette University
— National Finalist: Orange & Blue, University of Florida
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner: “Sexual Assault: What's Behind the Rise in Reports on Campus?” by Simone Corbett, Nicole Trejo-Valli, Bailee Wicks and Bailey Williams, Central Washington University
— National Finalist: “Divorce from the Streets,” by Ashley Lombardo, University of Florida
— National Finalist: “The cornerstone of a community's faith,” by Lauren Rutherford, University of Missouri
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Fire on the Mountain,” by Daniel Stein, James Madison University
— National Finalist: “Mill Avenue Protest,” by Reilly Kneedler, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Fort Worth Trump protest,” by Duy Vu, UT Arlington
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Protests with police,” by Gracey Evans, Point Park University
— National Finalist: “Champions at Last,” by Annika Gordon, University of Portland
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Let the Children Lead the Way,” by Maggie Andresen, Temple University
— National Finalist: “Day 4 of Cleveland RNC,” by Clint Datchuk, Kent State University
— National Finalist: “Glowing Rose,” by Gabriel Scarlett, Western Kentucky University
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Bagpipes at convocation,” by Ben Davis, Lipscomb University
— National Finalist: “Dakota Access Pipeline camp,” by Kayleigh Omang, Minnesota State University Moorhead
— National Finalist: “Fire,” by Lydia Lawson, Abilene Christian University
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Not her first rodeo,” by Halee Rock, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “The Chris Percentile,” by Dominique Hessert, Rochester Institute of Technology
— National Finalist: “Take your puppy to the pool day,” by Andrew Spellman, West Virginia University
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Graduation,” by Erika Bolado, Abilene Christian University
— National Finalist: “Singarama dancers,” by Erin Turner, Lipscomb University
— National Finalist: “CAB's Welcome Back Week: Petting Zoo,” by Carly Fristoe, Lindenwood University
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner: “Let's do lunch,” by Alex Menz, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “Alperts Give Millions for Music,” by Edward Locke, Los Angeles City College
— National Finalist: “Homecoming Guide Cover,” by Michelle Tam and Hannah Auten, University of Illinois
Photo Illustration, Small School Division
National Winner: “Phoenix in a Haze,” by Stephanie Hays, Elon University
— National Finalist: “Black Lives Matter,” by Maria Echeverry, The Baker Orange
— National Finalist: “That's all Folks!” by Connor Marshman, California University of Pennsylvania
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner: “Football Touchdown,” by Austin Yattoni, University of Illinois
— National Finalist: “Seymour Speaks,” by Daniel Carde, UT Arlington
— National Finalist: “Mud Tug XXI,” by Alexa Forberg, Rochester Institute of Technology
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner: “Emotional Win,” by Chad Phillips, The Baker Orange
— National Finalist: “Tennis,” by Lauren Franco, Abilene Christian University
— National Finalist: “Women’s LAX falls to No. 19 IUP,” by Kendall Scott, Slippery Rock University
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner: A.J. Newberry, Miami University
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner: “UNC study finds contaminated water in Wake County wells,” by Jessa O'Connor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
— National Finalist: “Uncertain Future for Missourians Losing Food Stamps after Waiver Changes,” by Ryan Levi, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “Real ID Compliance Compromise,” by Adam Burnett, University of Oklahoma
Radio Feature
National Winner: “A Local Town’s Special Claim to Fame: Winston Churchill,” by Carter Woodiel, University of Missouri
— National Finalist: “Woodyfest,” by Storme Jones, University of Oklahoma
— National Finalist: “Meet the City Kid Turned Rodeo King,” by Lacy Jane Roberts, University of California Berkeley Journalism School
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “OUTBREAK: A Doctor Visit Like No Other,” by Nadine Sebai, University of California Berkeley
— National Finalist: “The Lost Tapes: How the Cassette Found its Way Back,” by Joe Bloss, Syracuse University
— National Finalist: “Death Denied (Episode Four),” by Fallon Schlossman, Northwestern University
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner: “Nebraska Football: Senior Day & the 29th Senior,” by Zachary Penrice, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
— National Finalist: “Southeastern Conference Roundup,” by Charlie Jordan, University of Florida
— National Finalist: “The psychology behind sports fandom,” by John Thomas, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner: “From Where We Are,” by Meghan Coyle, Alana Bracken, Ian Hurley and Miranda Myers, University of Southern California
— National Finalist: “Newsline,” by Sean Bates, Jessica Ma, Samuel Bussell, Jenna Weigard, Mark Mausner and Lourdes Carballo, Hofstra University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner: “Ben Shapiro,” by Lorraine Taylor, DePaul University
— National Finalist: “Anti-Trump Rally,” by Phil Pinarski, Larson Seaver and Hannah Kirby, Marquette University
— National Finalist: “Trumping through campus for millenials,” by Whitney Burney, Michigan State University
Television General News Reporting
National Winner: “USU ADA,” by Amy Reid, Utah State University
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner: “What it's Like to Leave Iraq for a Life in America,” by Luisa Conlon, Hanna Miller and Lacy Jane Roberts, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Lake Front Entertainment,” by J.C. Wollslager, Our Lady of the Lake University
— National Finalist: “Gold Star Mothers,” by Maggie Gottlieb, University of Maryland, College Park
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “Aging Out: Autism in Montana,” by 2016 Documentary Unit staff, University of Montana
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner: “Beckwith and his Horses,” by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
— National Finalist: “Sarah Paulus: Feature Twirler,” by Megan Hedstrom, St. Cloud State University
— National Finalist: “Memorial Soccer Match,” by Cassie Chaplinsky, University of Illinois
Television News and Feature Photography
National Winner: “Victoria Square,” by Scott Cikowski, Pennsylvania State University
— National Finalist: “Slacklining Takes Extreme Heights,” by Chelsea Reichard and Tasha Cain, University of Montana
— National Finalist: “Livestock Show,” by Raina LaCaze, Louisiana State University
Television Sports Photography
National Winner: “ASU swimmer represents Serbia in upcoming Olympic Games,” by Ao Gao, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Beckwith and his Horses,” by Taylor Curet, Louisiana State University
— National Finalist: “Chris Smiley: Outrunning Cancer,” by John Madden, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner: Cronkite News, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: WVU News, West Virginia University Reed College of Media
— National Finalist: Campus News, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner: “Voters will face a maze of new requirements in November,” by Emily L. Mahoney, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Billion Dollar Story: Campaign Finance in Indiana,” by Indiana University Media School, Indiana University
— National Finalist: “Egypt Floats the Pound,” by Yasmine Hassan, The American University in Cairo
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner: “From the Front Lines,” by Daniel Carde, UT Arlington
— National Finalist: “Now What?” by Miami University
— National Finalist: “A Hidden Home,” by Kaitlyn Arford, Ball State University
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner: “In Poor Health,” by CNS Staff, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
— National Finalist: “School takeovers leave parents without a voice in education,” by Lily Altavena, Rose Velazquez and Natalie Griffin, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “A Day in the Life (and Death) of Whiteclay,” Chris Bowling, James Wooldridge, Calla Kessler and Amber Baesler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner: “The Spectrum: Whitewashing of Asians in media represents a bigger issue,” by Weizhe (Rachel) Yang, Northwestern University
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3
— National Finalist: Andrew Dyer, San Diego State University
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner: “UWM Athletic Department Controversies,” by Miela Fetaw, Tisia Muzinga, Kristopher Schimmel and Paul Willems, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Read online: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3 | Link 4
— National Finalist: “In Football Recruiting Sweepstakes, Maryland Has Fallen Short,” by Ryan Connors and Troy Jefferson, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Running to Rio,” by Chad Sokol, Washington State University
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner: “Dome35,” by The Dome35 Team, Syracuse University
— National Finalist: “In Poor Health,” by CNS Staff, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
— National Finalist: “#BlackScienceMatters,” by University of Illinois Multimedia Journalism Students, University of Illinois
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner: “Ball Bearings Online,” by Ball Bearings Staff, Ball State University
— National Finalist: “CNSMaryland.org,” by CNS Staff, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
— National Finalist: “The Rocky Mountain Collegian,” by Julia Rentsch and Mikaela Rodenbaugh, Colorado State University
Best Digital-Only Student Publication
National Winner: CNSMaryland.org, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
— National Finalist: NYCity News Service,, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
— National Finalist: The New Political, Ohio University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner: The New Political, Ohio University