2017 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
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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 2017 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2017.
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 2018 conference in Baltimore. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
OSU walkout complete coverage
The Baro Staff, Oregon State University
– National Finalist: “Protesters take a stand, outnumber Spencer supporters,” by Ian Cohen, Romy Ellenbogen, David Hoffman and Jimena Tavel, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “June flood coverage,” by Mitchell Kukulka and McKenzie Sanderson, Central Michigan University
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Gas leak interrupts class, spurs evacuations
Brock Turner, DePauw University
– National Finalist: “Historic building collapses in Pomona,” by Brooke Grasso and Gabriella Chikhani, University of La Verne
– National Finalist: “College Republicans react to notes left on poster,” by Katherine Bauer, Drake University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Tracking impact of budget cuts
Forrest Holt, Cody Cottier and Jessica Zhou, Washington State University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5
– National Finalist: “Succession of scandals hits Auburn Athletics,” by Chip Brownlee, Sam Willoughby and Will Sahlie, Auburn University
– National Finalist: “Parents push for Texas to screen all newborns for spinal muscular atrophy,” by Matthew Choi, Northwestern University
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Sexual assault: It happens here, too
Diego Pineda, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Choosing not to sign the covenant,” by Mady Fortier, Bethel University
– National Finalist: “ROTC adjusts training in era of mass shootings,” by Claire Desmarais and Brennan Robinson, University of Portland
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
‘It’s Real’: A seven-part look at how sexual assault is handled at the University of Maryland
Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland
– National Finalist: “Breaking the silence,” by Staff of Marquette Wire, Marquette University
– National Finalist: “In the dark: Records shed light on sexual misconduct at Kentucky universities,” by Nicole Ares, Western Kentucky University
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Define: Gordon, an investigation by The Tartan
Staff of The Tartan, Gordon College
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5 • Link 6
– National Finalist: “The undocumented general,” by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University
– National Finalist: “Behind the blue,” by Savanna DiStefano, Harding University
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
While the Oakland Fire Department takes heat, a new generation of firefighters comes of age
Rosa Furneaux, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “The Whole Picture: How a cheerleader became the face of Syracuse University on the night of the Pan Am Flight 103 attack,” by Satoshi Sugiyama, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “The third life of Darryl Pinkins,” by Taylor Telford, Indiana University
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
The call to the Church
Hannah Sievert, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “Christmas trees stop costal erosion in Jefferson Parish,” by Colleen Dulle, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: “Discharged from America,” by Michael McDonald, Southwestern College
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Afraid of the unknown
Michal Dwojak, University of Ilinois
– National Finalist: “Unwanted, unconventional and unrelenting: the Michael Wroblewski story,” by Orion Sang, University of Michigan
– National Finalist: “‘My escape’: How football saved Antwan Cordy’s life,” by Jon Mettus, Syracuse University
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Tall standards
Ben Arthur, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “Reaching for a dream on her tiptoes,” by Maddie DeBilzan, Bethel University
– National Finalist: “‘Knott’ to be denied: Fearless fifth-year talks life in Florida, finally winning Patriot League,” by Austin Vitelli, Lehigh University
Editorial Writing
National Winner
Brown and White editorials
Sam Topp, Lehigh University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: The Daily Reveille Editorial Board, Louisiana State University
– National Finalist: Staff of North Texas Daily, University of North Texas
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Kyle Hampel, Kansas State University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Mariana Alfaro, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: Tafari Robertson, Texas State University
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Madeleine Lucchetti, Butler University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Rachel Rippetoe, University of Portland
– National Finalist: Maddie DeBilzan, Carlo Holmberg and Kellie Lawless, Bethel University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner
Ethan Bauer, University of Florida
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Jack McLoone and Alvin Halimwidjaya, Fordham University
– National Finalist: Logan Jones, Utah State University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
The Daily Orange
Syracuse University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
– National Finalist: The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
The Post
Ohio University
– National Finalist: The Temple News, Temple University
– National Finalist: The Miami Hurricane, University of Miami
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner
Focus Magazine: Rebuild
Baylor University
– National Finalist: Hill Magazine, University of Arkansas
– National Finalist: Vox Magazine, University of Missouri
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner
Missouri’s opioid epidemic
Rick Morgan, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: “Life amid the levees,” by Jacob Shea, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “A water-bottling plant creates a rift in Montana,” by Olga Kreimer, University of Montana
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
No winner awarded
– National Finalist: “Hunter sets eyes on governing after SGA presidential win,” by Jacob Arthur, University of Alabama
– National Finalist: “Urban Meyer walks through enemy lines,” by Jack Westerheide, Ohio State University
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Total eclipse
Ben Davis, Lipscomb University
– National Finalist: “Dreamer,” by Natalie Mosqueda, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: “Fists rising in fall,” by Brenna Sinding, Peninsula College
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Couple hug in rubble of home
Dakota McGranahan, Santa Rosa Junior College
– National Finalist: “Taking a bite out of the competition,” by Antonella Crescimbeni, Penn State
– National Finalist: “The people united,” by Abby Potter, Western Kentucky University
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
That’s an image that will always be in my head
Nikole Kost, Point Park University
– National Finalist: “Women’s March draws hundreds of people,” by Jose Arredondo, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Mutton Busted (2017 Fiesta de los Vaqueros)
Rebecca Noble, University of Arizona
– National Finalist: “Marching Chips,” by Josie Norris, Central Michigan University
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Concert glow
Lauren Franco, Abilene Christian University
– National Finalist: “What does the hijab mean to you?,” by Annika Gordon, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “#WhyWeMarch,” by Samantha Reposa, University of New Haven
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner
War stories
Hannah Burnett, University of California, Los Angeles
– National Finalist: “3 and out,” by Zbigniew Sikora, Oregon State University
– National Finalist: “2017 eclipse,” by Kiffer Creveling, University of Utah
Photo Illustration, Small School Division
National Winner
The Mystician 78.6 Reality Check: Reporters Talk Real News
Hunter Andes and Quinnlyn Nelson, Bismarck State College
– National Finalist: “The life and struggles of a domestic abuse survivor,” by Emily Rowan, Cabrini University
– National Finalist: “Debuting Dorrel,” by Lauren Franco, Abilene Christian University
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Drake relays
Emily Blobaum, Iowa State University
– National Finalist: “At arm's length,” by Kelsea Hobbs, Western Kentucky University
– National Finalist: “Little League World Series Champions,” by Linsey Fagan, Penn State
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
No winner awarded
– National Finalist: “Head above the rest,” by Alexander Contreras, Southwestern College
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner
Jake Thrasher, University of Mississippi
– National Finalist: Eva Shen, University of Maryland
– National Finalist: Dan Cordero and Michelle Phillips, Southwestern College
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner
Strike a chord: Addiction series
Jonathan Woodward, Fordham University
Listen online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5
– National Finalist: “Butte holds ‘wake’ for birds killed in the Berkeley Pit,” by Nora Saks, University of Montana
Radio Feature
National Winner
Dining with Doyle
Neil Doyle, Illinois State University
– National Finalist: “Peer treatment program offers new hope in Fort Belknap,” by Nora Saks, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “The appeal of modern obstacle courses,” by Hannah Jerome, University of Kansas
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
When the lights go out, and stay out
Luke Sullivan, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Grieving father takes on district attorney's office,” by Elizabeth Tung, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “Mar-a-Lago or Trump Tower: Could a federal law force Trump to choose?,” by Madeline Fox, Northwestern University
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner
Brady's record day
Adam Rogers, Marshall University
– National Finalist: “Columbia College's Girls Who Game event connects teen girls to electronic sports,” by Hannah Haynes, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: “May the best lifeguard win: Regional competition tests lifesaving skills of south Florida's rescuers,” by Allison Light, Princeton University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner
Newsline
WRHU News Team, Hofstra University
– National Finalist: “From Where We Are,” by Alana Bracken, William Rehbock, Gabe Gross, Iris Lee, University of Southern California
– National Finalist: “Neil Doyle Newscast,” by Neil Doyle, Illinois State University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner
USC active shooter scare
Sam Bergum, Garrett Schwartz, Taylor Edghill and Kim Rogers, University of Southern California
– National Finalist: “Winding Way house fire,” by Kinsey Grant, Washington and Lee University
– National Finalist: “Pulse anniversary,” by Ryan Roberts and Daniela Hurtado, University of Florida
Television General News Reporting
National Winner
ViewFinder: a chief's promise
Emily Kallmyer, Jojo Dominick and Ryan Eskalis, University of Maryland
– National Finalist: “High school sexual assault,” by Grant Tosterud, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Women's March on Madison,” by Jenna Gaidosh, Tisia Muzinga, Stevan Stojanovic and Jenna Graham, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner
A survivor’s story
Jamie Weiss, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Opera - Good Day DePaul,” by Dan Beedie, DePaul University
– National Finalist: “Bob Benson: The 87 Year Old Mirror Artist,” by Julianne Maxwell, University of Maryland
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
ViewFinder: Aging
ViewFinder Fall 2017 Team, University of Maryland
– National Finalist: “Routes TV: Dirty little secrets,” by Jstyn Strain, University of Oklahoma
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner
D'Mauri Jones: Painting inspiration
David Perez, University of Miami
– National Finalist: “Triple threat: Meet Charlee Harris,” by Erin Kate Dolan, Penn State University
– National Finalist: “Leigh Healey is finally ready to hit the bodybuilding stage,” by Grace Choi, Northwestern University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner: ViewFinder, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “WUFT News First at Five,” by WUFT News Student Staff, University of Florida
— National Finalist: “NewsLink Indiana,” by Mallory Weil, Tony Sandleben, Ryan McClain and Evan Like, Ball State University
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner
Killing Rikers
Newsroom 2017, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “Opioid overdose deaths continue to mount,” by Ryan Santistevan and Ben Moffat, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “On her own,” by Hallie Miller and Ellie Silverman, University of Maryland
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner
Life and terror: John Paul Mugisha finds a new life on The Bluff
Rachel Ramirez, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “The life and struggles of a domestic abuse survivor,” by Caitlyn Huebner, Cabrini University
– National Finalist: “Can't get there from here,” by Emma Sarappo, Northwestern University
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Montana's meth effect
Metheffect.com, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Breakdown,” by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “Keeping kids alive in West Virginia,” by Nick Foutrakis, Dalia Elsaid, Zane Coss and Jade Artherhults, West Virginia University
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner
State Press Editorial Board, Arizona State University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner
Heisman history
Joe Buettner, University of Oklahoma
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner
Closed doors; open questions
Staff of OR Magazine, University of Oregon
More information/download ePub
– National Finalist: “Our Gainesville,” by Staff of WUFT News, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “When I am healed,” by Abby Potter, Western Kentucky University
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner
Alpine Living New Zealand
Jonathan Norris, Taylor Armer, Kaylin Bowen and Hailey Grace Steele, University of Alabama
– National Finalist: The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
– National Finalist: The Shorthorn, UT Arlington
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner
City Blocks
Syracuse University
– National Finalist: Media Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: Urban Plains, Drake University
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
National Winner
Solar eclipse
Ben Johnson and Jordan Davis, College of the Ozarks
— National Finalist: “ViewFinder: On the call,” by Emily Olsen, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “Trade drives rise of middle class in Mexico,” by Lillian Donahue, Arizona State University
Broadcast Feature Videography
National Winner
From the military to the classroom
Lauren Sinatra, Syracuse University
— National Finalist: “ViewFinder: Take you there,” by Jay Reed, University of Maryland
Broadcast Sports Videography
National Winner
“Armstrong” — a purpose worthy of pursuit
Chris Venzon, Syracuse University
— National Finalist: “Fighting for fearlessness,” by Tyler Paley, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Feel close to him,” by Griffin Wasik, Michigan State University
Online/Digital News Videography
National Winner
No winner awarded
— National Finalist: “Unstable ground in Pinal County,” by Melanie Abramoff, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Convict of 302: Death penalty in Pakistan,” by Shakeeb Asrar and Urooj Kamran Azmi, Northwestern University in Qatar
Online/Digital Sports Videography
National Winner
GCU's Russell gets 'one shining moment' on Final Four floor
Zac Pacleb, Arizona State University
— National Finalist: “Beating the buzzer: Wizards keep games tight to the end,” by Evan J. Berkowitz and Gabe Fernandez, University of Maryland College of Journalism
— National Finalist: “Scaling new heights,” by Maria Camila Montañez and Carlos Serrano, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Online/Digital Feature Videography
National Winner
Troubled waters
Jesse Nichols and Kjell Redal, Western Washington University
— National Finalist: “ViewFinder: Going home,” by Tina Vo and Pearl Mak, University of Maryland
— National Finalist: “Battling fate,” by Josh Barnhart, Central Michigan University