2019 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 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2019.
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 SPJs 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 2020 conference in Washington, D.C. Follow this link for conference information.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Barge resigns as Monroe County commissioner amid harassment allegations
Caroline Anders, Indiana University
– National Finalist: Incoming Harvard freshman deported after visa revoked, by Shera S. Avi-Yonah and Delano R. Franklin, Harvard College
– National Finalist: UNT System assistant general counsel says the n-word at When Hate Comes to Campus event, by Lizzy Spangler and Rebekah Schulte, University of North Texas
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Planned Parenthood controversy divides Catholic college
Alyssa Allemand, Jena Emmert, Robin Gee and Anna Hansen, Edgewood College
Read: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: One dead in Hard Rock Hotel collapse, by Lily Cummings and Andres Fuentes, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: Harrison Dillard, 1949 grad and four-time Olympic gold medal winner, passes away, by Charlie Egli, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
NKU to review womens basketball after players accuse coach of emotional abuse
Sam Rosenstiel and Sierra Newton, Northern Kentucky University
– National Finalist: Series on diversity at the University of Georgia, by Anila Yoganathan, University of Georgia
– National Finalist: Genesis Hansen arrest (series), by Delaney Shea, Vada Shelby, Michael Eubanks and Tanveer Sandhu, Oregon State University
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Elon is set to join the Common Application
Abby Gibbs, Elon University
– National Finalist: After daughters death, a Johnson family takes charge in fighting opioids, by Alexandre Silberman, St. Thomas University
– National Finalist: Walking the path of migrants, Beyond Borders team volunteers forensic work to help identify migrant, by Jayden Kennett and Shylah Gibson, University of Indianapolis
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Chris Robison special issue
Cameren Boatner and Kristen Grau, Florida Atlantic University
– National Finalist: Left behind, by Matthew Martinez and Sydney Czyzon, Marquette University
– National Finalist: Exploring the dark side of Greek Life: FOIA request details more than a decade of accusations against Phi Sigma Phi
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Caught in Rhode Island
College Hill Independent Staff, Brown University
– National Finalist: Inside Title IX: Office works to educate campus about sexual misconduct, investigating complaints, by Lauren Franco, Abilene Christian University
– National Finalist: Youth mental health in Oregon, by Casey Chaffin, Soka University of America
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Students who switched tickets escaped the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing
Jordan Muller, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: Young, small, but mighty: Skateboarder Sky Brown shreds path toward Olympics, by Jack Harris, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: He once drove a $60,000 Jaguar and almost drank himself to death. Then he found salvation in steel. by Sarah Bahr, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Two countries, six hours one long commute to school
Fernando A. Martinez, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: Friends Help Hearts Heal: Lehigh student writes a book about friendship during times of hardship, by Julia Adelizzi, Lehigh University
– National Finalist: A Texas-size marts road to fame, by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Concussions, consequence and conscience: OU great Rickey Dixon reflects on career thats killing him
George Stoia, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: I dont feel like shes ever going to lose: An Iowa womans quest to go pro in MMA, by David Harmantas, University of Iowa
– National Finalist: The athlete advantage, by Delano R. Franklin and Devin B. Srivastava, Harvard College
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Sucker punch
Ana Faguy and Nick Karpinski, Saint Josephs University
– National Finalist: Back for more: 1 senior night not enough for Wolford, by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
– National Finalist: The infallible approach of GU womens basketballs newest starter, by Ian Davis-Leonard, Gonzaga University
Editorial Writing
National Winner
The Emory Wheel
Emory University
Read: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: The University Star editorial board, Texas State University
– National Finalist: Caleb Greene, Louisiana State University
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Andrew Raychawdhuri
UCLA
Read: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Kevin Schablin, Marquette University
– National Finalist: Community Voices, University of Texas at Arlington
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Justin Dottery
Southwestern College
– National Finalist: Thomas Maye, Framingham State University
– National Finalist: Andres Salerno, Butler University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner
Christopher Vinel
Miami University
Read: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Josh Kirshenbaum, University of Washington
– National Finalist: Josh Mullenix, Butler University
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
The Daily Iowan
University of Iowa
– National Finalist: The Daily Bruin, UCLA
– National Finalist: Yale Daily News, Yale University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
National Winner
The Red & Black
University of Georgia
– National Finalist: The Temple News, Temple University
– National Finalist: The Pendulum, Elon University
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner
The Sustainability Issue
REFINE Magazine, Temple University
– National Finalist: Alice Magazine, The University of Alabama
– National Finalist: Hill Magazine, University of Arkansas
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner
Under the table
Catherine Wendlandt, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: Hold your ground, by Natalie Yahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
– National Finalist: Vibrant light, by Abby Church, James Madison University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Getty fire
Jintak Han, UCLA
– National Finalist: MPD challenges community to snowball fight, by Scott Fleener, Ball State University
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Climate strike crowd
Jennifer Ng, University of Portland
– National Finalist: Lightning strikes Saylor Hall, starts fire, by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Twenty years later: Remembering Columbine
Ali C.M. Watkins, Metropolitan State University of Denver
– National Finalist: Vigil at beneficence, by Jacob Musselman, Ball State University
– National Finalist: United, not divided, by Charlie Blalock, Del Mar College
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Water main break
Alexandria Whitten, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: June Speakman sweeps primary, by Kayla Ebner, Roger Williams University
– National Finalist: Youth climate strike advocates for change, legislation, by Tony Reeves, University of Indianapolis
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Milk made
Emily Nevils, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: Jab jab: Tia Jablonsky fights to go pro in MMA competitions, by Ashley Sanchez, Virginia Commonwealth University
– National Finalist: Fairgoer stares at chicks, by Duy Vu, University of Texas at Arlington
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
LEsprit
Clare Grant, Elon University
– National Finalist: Campus jungle, by Jacob Waring, Southern Connecticut State University
– National Finalist: Gloves and determination of steel, by Luke Kenneally, Gonzaga University
Photo Illustration, Large School Division
National Winner
Vapergate
Sara Diggins, University of Montana
– National Finalist: Celestial standards, by Gianna Sanchez, Lauren Maingot, Jacqueline Dubois and Gabby Rosenbloom, University of Miami
– National Finalist: Cost of crossing, by Connor Wodynski and Kevin Hurley, Arizona State University
Photo Illustration, Small School Division
National Winner
Alternate personas
Tyler Judson, SCAD Atlanta
– National Finalist: Cal U for life, by Lily Gongaware, California University of Pennsylvania
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Flying high
Sara Donato, Kent State University
– National Finalist: Gymnastics earns first meet win of the season, by Graeme Sloan, George Washington University
– National Finalist: Little league World Series champions, by James Leavy, Penn State University
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Cross country runner
Sabelo Jupiter, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: Chasing a loose ball, by Pawan Khanal, Troy University
– National Finalist: Womens rugby, by Tiffany Trumble, Vassar College
Data Visualization
National Winner
White supremacy movements spark rise in religion-based hate
Saffeya Ahmed, Virginia Commonwealth University
– National Finalist: How IU does its laundry, by Jacob deCastro and Vivek Rao, Indiana University
– National Finalist: Salary database, by Jade Myers, University of Texas at Arlington
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner
Alexandra Bowman
Georgetown University
– National Finalist: Teagan Kimbro, Central Washington University
– National Finalist: Ryan Greene, Colorado State University
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner
Michael: One year later
Nicole Rogers, University of Florida
– National Finalist: Students say THC vaping products are common in some local high schools, by Jared Weber, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: Emmett Till memorial rededicated, by Will Stribling, University of Mississippi
Radio Feature
National Winner
Mom maintains hope for shaken baby
Madeline Wilson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
– National Finalist: Richmonds first womens theatre festival puts female stories at center stage, by Evie King, Virginia Commonwealth University
– National Finalist: Preserving Pennytown: A small church contains a world of memories, by Emily Aiken, University of Missouri
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
After a semester of tumult, Columbia parents and officials still at odds over police in schools
Isabel Lohman and Mawa Iqbal, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: Fear and loathing in a New York nursing home, by Shira Feder, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: Vegas massacre effects One year later, by Austin Westfall, Arizona State University
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner
Revamped Milwaukee Marathon attracts thousands of runners
Nick Knute, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: Mr. Two-Bits, by Skyler Lebron, University of Florida
– National Finalist: Jack & Lehner, by Kenny Conrade, Hofstra University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner
Carolina Connection
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: WUFT newscast, University of Florida
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner
Migrant caravan arrives in Tijuana
Jessica Cardenas and Xochilt Lagunas, California State University Fullerton
– National Finalist: Campus shooting, by Shayla Klein, West Virginia University
– National Finalist: Troy tornado, by Brady Talbert, Troy University
Television General News Reporting
National Winner
From Puerto Rico to Washington, dogs find their forever homes
Jasmine Darakjy, Washington State University
– National Finalist: Public safety power shutoffs spark confusion in Lake Isabella, by Joey Maya Safchik, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: Hammett Bowen: A heros legacy, by Quan McWil, University of Florida
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner
CSI camp
Quan McWil, University of Florida
– National Finalist: Rich the custodian, by Josh Lamberty, Iowa State University
– National Finalist: Amputation inspires runner, by Scotty Gange, Arizona State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Trash talk: Montanas recycling challenge
UM Student Documentary Unit, spring 2019, University of Montana
– National Finalist: Native suicides, by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: Living on the edge: LGBTQ+ and mental health, by Aaron Cardenas, University of Oklahoma
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner
Crown Boxing Club teaching students more after school
Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: Transgender runner, June Eastwood, by Tessa Nadeau, University of Montana
– National Finalist: Husky baseball team has hot start, by Tony Langfellow, St. Cloud State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner
Centre County Report
Penn State University
– National Finalist: UATV News, University of Arkansas
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
National Winner
After the eye
WUFT News staff, University of Florida
– National Finalist: The last spike, by Cache Rendezvous Staff, Utah State University
– National Finalist: Southeastern Times, by Kaylee Normand and John Sartori, Southeastern Louisiana University
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner
The emotional trauma of Hurricane Maria
Devna Bose, University of Mississippi
– National Finalist: Funded but forgotten, by NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: Disappeared: 10,000 and counting, by Media Milwaukee staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner
Deported U.S. veterans find aid, comfort in a Tijuana bunker
Madeline Ackley and Mara Friedman, Arizona State University
Read: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: Tail of the Dragon attracts thrill-seekers, motoring enthusiasts, by Oliver Fischer, Elon University
– National Finalist: Ladies luck, by NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
We are still here
Media Milwaukee staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: Rebuilding families, by Anna N. Saab, West Virginia University
– National Finalist: Power struggle: Anticipating cyberattacks on the electric grid, by Vaughn Golden and Tara Lynch, Ithaca College
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner
Anxiety shapes my life, but Im not alone
Connor Henricksen, Washington State University
– National Finalist: The Daily Northwestern and its impact on ethical journalism, by Charlotte Caldwell, Ohio University
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner
Chaotic, beautiful thing: The story behind Party Hard Wrestling
Tyler Dunn, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: Bobby, by Noah Schmick and Jakob Thorington, Washington State University
– National Finalist: Athletes with disabilities in it to win it, by Neel Madhavan, Northwestern University
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner
How we heal
NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: Death of a dream: Two responses to migrants who go missing in the desert, by Nicole Ludden, Julian Hernandez, Meg Potter and Erica Figueroa, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: Concentrated poverty and criminality: Homicide rates remain high in Chicago, by Nicole Sroka and Miriam Torres, University of Illinois at Chicago
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner
Vox Magazine
Vox staff, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
– National Finalist: The Daily Mississippian, University of Mississippi
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner
NYCity News Service
Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: Cronkite News, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: New Mexico News Port, University of New Mexico
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
National Winner
Mayors salary debate
Dylan Domangue, Southeastern Louisiana University
– National Finalist: Creating a new normal, by Hasley Pitman, University of Florida
– National Finalist: Bobcat thunder, by Nathaniel Snipes, Ben Johnson, Matthew Weathermon and Caleb Brubaker, College of the Ozarks
Broadcast Sports Videography
National Winner
Hockey: Penn State sweeps Wisconsin
Will Desautelle, Penn State University
National Finalist: Lifes curveball The Stallard story, by Kynan Marlin, Arizona State University
National Finalist: Southeastern vs. Northwestern State football, by Dylan Domangue, Southeastern Louisiana University
Online/Digital News Videography
National Winner
MPD snowball fight
Scott Fleener, Ball State University
– National Finalist: March 2 shooting documentary: Looking back one year later, by Natalie McCorvie, Central Michigan University
– National Finalist: Students counter-protest demonstration against abortion rights, by Danny Schapiro, George Washington University
Online/Digital Sports Videography
National Winner
Walk in my shoes: The Brad Anderson story
Tyler Lamb, Middle Tennessee State University
– National Finalist: OU Daily pre- and post-game videos, by Will Conover, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: Tackling the draft Episode one: Roller coaster, by Daily Northwestern staff, Northwestern University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
National Winner
Finding the light
Joe Valdez, University of North Texas
– National Finalist: South Florida Access goes from Holly Hard Rock to the Lighthouse of Broward, by Jay Valle, Monica Lebro and Andrea Igliozzi, Florida International University
– National Finalist: Safe or Unsafe U? by View from the U, University of Utah
Podcasts
Podcasts
National Winner
Syracuse Side Hustles, Syracuse University
Website • Apple Podcasts • Stitcher
– National Finalist: Sea level rise threatens the Florida Keys, by Avery Van Etten, Northwestern University
Immersion Journalism
Immersion Journalism
National Winner
Homeless realities
JOVRNALISM Staff, USC Annenberg
– National Finalist: Surviving a school shooting, by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University
All Platforms
Collaborative Journalism
National Winner
Uprooted: The Faces of the Venezuelan Crisis
Uprooted Staff, Colombian Network of University Journalism (Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), Universidad Catolica Luis Amigo, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: Generation Opioids, by West Virginia University and George Washington University