2020 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
Jump to:
– Newspapers
– Magazines
– Art/Graphics
– Radio
– Television
– Online
– Videography
– Video Game Reporting
– Podcasts
– Immersion Journalism
– Collaborative Journalism
– COVID-19
Click on each region's number to read a press release that contains a complete list of winners and finalists from that region.
– Region 1
– Region 2
– Region 3
– Region 4
– Region 5
– Region 6
– Region 7
– Region 8
– Region 9
– Region 10
– Region 11
– Region 12
The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the national winners of the 2020 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcasted during 2020.
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.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
North complex fire
Chloe Curtis, Kimberly Morales and Matthew Wreden, Chico State
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5 • Link 6 • Link 7 • Link 8 • Link 9
– National Finalist: “Democracy in darkness,” by Benjamin Wells, Natallie St. Onge, Marquette University
– National Finalist: “Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities,” by Michelle G. Kurilla, Camille G. Caldera, Harvard College
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Outgoing Loyola director under investigation at Arizona State
Rose Wagner, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: “Administrator goes public with concerns about racism and sexism within UP administration,” by Gabi DiPaulo, University of Portland
– National Finalist: “Cedarville University will finish semester online, commencement postponed,” by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
UMD workers union fights for improved COVID-19 protection
Angela Roberts, Clara Longo de Freitas, University of Maryland, College Park
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4 • Link 5
– National Finalist: “Black on campus,” by Tritima Achigbu, David Silva Ramirez, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Between 2 worlds: how Syracuse’s racist housing policies created a racial divide,” by Marnie Muñoz, Syracuse University
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
“I’m doing my part:” the grocery store workers on the front lines of the pandemic
Delaney Nelson, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “Elon University ranks #371 for social mobility,” by Grace Terry, Elon University
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
The gun edition
Staff, Florida A&M University
– National Finalist: “In Focus: Loopholes in federal lead law left 5th Ward in the dark about what is in its water,” by Kalen Luciano, Heena Srivastava, Northwestern University
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Trauma behind the curtain: allegations uncovered, investigation launched, professor leaves Rider
Stephen Neukam, Rider University
– National Finalist: “An uphill battle: University of Puerto Rico students, professors respond to severe budget cuts,” by Carmen Honker, William & Mary
– National Finalist: “Death and injustice in the borderlands,” by Julia Woock, Southwestern College
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Milwaukee church protests racism through religion
Richa Karmarkar, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: “Inside the conservative media outlet feeding Harvard students to Fox News,” by Malaika K. Tapper, Harvard College
– National Finalist: “Transgender awareness,” by Staff, Colorado State University
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Voices on racism
Kyra Steck, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “We never realize what we have until we have it no longer,” by Joey Fox, Rebecca Tauber, Williams College
– National Finalist: “The fight doesn't stop here,” by Molly Korzenowski, Bethel University
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Cosmo: An oral history of the viral dance
Elisa Huhem, Brigham Young University
– National Finalist: “Raising Declan,” by Aidan Bea, Texas State University
– National Finalist: “The ‘inescapable’ effect of off-campus athletics,” by Staff, Columbia University
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Fighting forever
Emma Eidsvoog, Neha Goyal, Neelam Sidhani, Bethel University
– National Finalist: “SC 1, Yankees 0,” by Andrew Sanchez, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: “CU alumni qualify for Olympic marathon trials,” by Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
Editorial Writing
National Winner
COVID-19 editorials
Zachariah Chou, University of Florida
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Editorials,” by Editorial Board, Marquette University
– National Finalist: “Staff editorials,” by Staff, Texas State University
General Column Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Brammhi's Ballot
Brammhi Balarajan, Emory University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “John Hyrdrisko columns,” by John Hydrisko, University of Mississippi
– National Finalist: “Navdeep Bal,” by Navdeep Bal, University of California, Los Angeles
General Column Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
Opinion pieces
Alexander Prevost, Gonzaga University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “McKenzie Ward, Framingham State University,” by McKenzie Ward, Framingham State University
– National Finalist: “Abroad in South Korea during COVID-19,” by Claire Lee, Pepperdine University
Sports Column Writing
National Winner
Columns
Peter Warren, Northwestern University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Michael Vestey's columns,” by Michael Vestey, Miami University
– National Finalist: “Football columns,” by Simon Gibbs, Vanderbilt University
Best All-Around Student Newspaper, Large School Division
National Winner
Columbia Daily Spectator
Staff, Columbia University
– National Finalist: “Volume 51, Issue 16; Volume 51, Issue 19; Volume 51, Issue 22,” by Staff, Loyola University Chicago
– National Finalist: “Best of the Collegian,” by Staff, Colorado State University
Best All-Around Student Newspaper, Small School Division
National Winner
Miscellany News, Pandemic Newsletters
Staff, Vassar College
– National Finalist: “The Bethel Clarion,” by Molly Korzenowski, Emma Harville, Will Jacott, Emma Gottschalk, Bethel University
– National Finalist: “The Pendulum,” by Staff, Elon University
Magazines
Best Student Magazine
National Winner
El Sol
Staff, Southwestern College
– National Finalist: “PULSE magazine,” by Maddy Wilson, Sara Roach, Kassandra Eller, Spencer Clifton, Central Washington University
– National Finalist: “Curb Pause,” by Staff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
National Winner
ài (爱) to love and ái (挨) to suffer
Erin Glynn, Miami University
– National Finalist: “Thoughts, prayers & stem cells,” by Katherine Sypher, Anthony J. Wallace, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Worn down by wellness,” by Elena DeBre, Yale University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Protest arrest
Katie Goodale, University of Iowa
– National Finalist: “LAPD cruiser burns during Black Lives Matter protest,” by Yasamin Jafari-Tehrani, Santa Monica College
– National Finalist: “Supporting Trump,” by Noah Riffe, The Pennsylvania State University
Breaking News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Chino Hills residents debate evacuating during fire
Jasmin Sani, Chapman University
– National Finalist: “March for Action on Alden photo,” by Joe Arruda, Springfield College
– National Finalist: “Nashville tornado damage,” by Mckenzi Harris, Lipscomb University
General News Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Activist group marches through Arlington
Elias Valverde II, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Bayview coalition demands justice for environmental racism,” by Harika Maddala, San Francisco State University
– National Finalist: “Hugging with hope,” by Lucy Morantz, Colorado State University
General News Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Police take a knee to show solidarity at peaceful protest
Ben Levitt, Mercer County Community College
– National Finalist: “No more bruises,” by Zach Walker, Will Jacott, Hersh Singh, Emma Gottschalk, Bethel University
– National Finalist: “Health science safety photo,” by Tony Reeves, University of Indianapolis
Feature Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Capturing and documenting trauma in Panama
Nicole Neri, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Illuminated dancers,” by Elias Valverde II, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Hemp Harvest Festival buzzes with freedom,” by Emily Kenny, Syracuse University
Feature Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Black Lives Matter: The digital mobilization of citizen journalists
Julia Navarro, Humboldt State University
– National Finalist: “Behind the lens: Altering perspective,” by Alexander Johansen, Minnesota State University Moorhead
– National Finalist: “University steps into Black History Month,” by Maegan Mendoza, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Photo Illustration
National Winner
Wonderland
Sam Balmer, University of Missouri-Columbia
– National Finalist: “A clear victory,” by Andy Caress, Virginia Commonwealth University
– National Finalist: “Basketball season preview,” by David Onwukeme, University of Utah
Sports Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
FAU defeats UMass, finishing perfect at home under Willie Taggart’s inaugural season
Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University
– National Finalist: “Men’s lacrosse grinds out second-half comeback for massive win in defensive showdown,” by Zoe Davis, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Iowa-Ohio state wrestling,” by Shivansh Ahuja, University of Iowa
Sports Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Sophomore forward Clay Gayman leaps over junior forward Gavin Kensmil for a layup
David Mitchell, Abilene Christian University
Data Visualization
National Winner
California propositions 2020
Sonia Hiew, Michael Goldsmith, Santa Monica College
– National Finalist: “Colorado’s 2020 election explained in 9 graphs,” by Sam Ye, Colorado State University
– National Finalist: “The Ivy League was late to respond to COVID-19. Data shows international universities did better,” by Staff, Columbia University
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner
Andrea Grigsby
Andrea Grigsby, University of California, Los Angeles
View online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Student proved,” by Derek Snyder, Oregon State University
Radio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner
Phoenix Area Restaurants Taking Advantage Of Outdoor Seating For Customers
Caitlynn McDaniel, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Buzi bus service,” by Alix Larson, Minnesota State University Moorhead
– National Finalist: “Project Little Shell: Questioning blood quantum,” by Mary Auld, University of Montana
Radio Feature
Radio Feature
National Winner
Chess parlor sees an uptick in popularity after "The Queen’s Gambit"
Holly DeMuth, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: “When eviction court moved to Zoom, this attorney kept fighting for renters’ rights,” by Daisy Espinoza, University of Houston
– National Finalist: “Swamp therapy' hikes aim to connect south Floridians to the Everglades,” by Maria Esquinca, University of Miami
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Choose to refuse: Escaping the cycle of addiction
Nesrien Abdelkader, The American University in Cairo
– National Finalist: “Explained: President Trump's election lawsuits,” by Angelina Campanile, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “Zoonotic diseases traced to illegal wildlife trade,” by Caitlynn McDaniel, Arizona State University
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner
Pink Dragon Ladies
Gabriela Mercurio, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “SU's fight for social justice,” by Jenna Fink, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Gabe Trujillo, Spanish-speaking PBP voice of AZ Cardinals,” by Jonah Hrkal, Arizona State University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner
Carolina Connection
Staff, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: “Trump's election lawsuits, Northwestern's budget surplus, and NU students count votes,” by Angelina Campanile, Helen Bradshaw, Alex Harrison, Olivia Lloyd, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “Newsline - January 30, 2020,” by Staff, Hofstra University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner
Press Bar and Parlor burns to the ground
Tony Langfellow, Saint Cloud State University
– National Finalist: “Trolley accident,” by Greg Bradbury, Syracuse University
Television General News Reporting
National Winner
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: “Firefighter cancer,” by Dylan McKim, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Five months after Hurricane Dorian at the Abaco Lodge,” by Payton Tysinger, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner
Biden at SU
Ricky Sayer, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Virtual pow wow dancing,” by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “Old school activism: A history of protest at Northwestern,” by Joey Maya Safchik, Northwestern University
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Dust-to-dust
Parker Thune, Ben Possehl, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Four Days, 5 Murders,” by Chris O'Brien, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “COVID prisons,” by Katelyn Keenehan, Arizona State University
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner
Skating through adversity
Michael Gutnick, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “A heart of a champion and the mind of a (ninja) warrior,” by Sydney Wicker, Colorado State University
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
National Winner
Routes TV — Oklahoma's mental health battle
Stingray Schuller, Aspen Endriss , University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “The forgotten city,” by Staff, University of Florida
Bests All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner
NewsVision
Jenna Weiss, Spencer Askinazy, Ben Ezzy, Tyler Walsh, University of Miami
– National Finalist: “Focal Point October 30th,” by Staff, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: “Chapman News. March 6, 2020,” by Staff, Chapman University
Online
Online News Reporting
National Winner
Operation Agent Touch
Staff of Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “In a time when caring more is vital, the UW system chose to care less,” by Jodie Filenius, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
– National Finalist: “BERT sit-in,” by Staff, University of Oklahoma
Online Feature Reporting
National Winner
The Candy Man can
Kailey Pickering, Colorado State University
– National Finalist: “Rising waters,” by Staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: “Softening stigma,” by Emily Isaacman, Karli VanCleave, Mel Fronczek, Indiana University
Online In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Panama — where the world waits at America’s door
Calah Schlabach, Nino Abdaladze, Daja Henry, Anthony J. Wallace, Arizona State University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: “High stakes: The risks and rewards of legalizing marijuana,” by Staff, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “The Red Flag Law as a means of suicide prevention,” by Anna Dunn, Colorado State University
Online Opinion and Commentary
National Winner
Forget about politics, why Black lives matter
Carmen Fanning, Fort Hays State University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “A history of BSU’s demands: Repeating our university’s oppressive past,” by Opinion team, University of Washington - Seattle
– National Finalist: “What a New Yorker in 2020 has in common with a sculptor during the Black Death,” by Liza Vandenboom, The King's College
Online Sports Reporting
National Winner
How sports culture undermines athletes long after they graduate
Madeleine Davison, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “A gridiron legacy uncovered: How Northwestern football players risked it all for racial equality,” by Lia Assimakopoulos, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “Lacrosse coach released from contract amid potential cuts to scholarships and roster spots of five players,” by Spencer Nusbaum, American University
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner
Five years after SAE
Paxson Haws, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “As Juneteenth approached, students across the country protested racism and police brutality,” by The Eagle, American University
– National Finalist: “Who we are: Finding home,” by Staff, USC Annenberg
Best Affiliated Web Site
National Winner
Curb Pause
Staff , University of Wisconsin-Madison
Visit website: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “redandblack.com,” by Staff, University of Georgia
– National Finalist: “Elon News Network,” by Staff, Elon University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner
JOVRNALISM
Staff, USC Annenberg
– National Finalist: “Talisman Website,” by Website Staff, Western Kentucky University
– National Finalist: “The 61% Project,” by Staff, Syracuse University
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
National Winner
Door to disaster
Joseline Donoso, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “They've been waiting for this day,” by Ian Gilmour, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: “The essential workers of the Coachella Valley,” by Edwin Flores, California State University Fullerton
Broadcast Feature Videography
National Winner
Beyond the finish line
Victor Prieto, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Virtual pow wow dancing,” by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “A sound to soldier on,” by Mikayla Temple, Michigan State University
Broadcast Sports Videography
National Winner
All you need is a set of wheels... And one of these.
Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
– National Finalist: “Project Dad',” by Julianna D'Urzo, Lindsay Eastwood, Peyton Smith, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Saints weather the storms,” by Victor Prieto, University of Florida
Online/Digital News Videography
National Winner
Where are the students? An enrollment investigation
Quinn Corcoran, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Black at Kent State,” by Staff, Kent State University
– National Finalist: “SF State student stuck in Ghana,” by David Sjostedt, San Francisco State University
Online/Digital Sports Videography
National Winner
Chasing the dragon
Cole Strong, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Maggie Nichols: Courageous,” by Will Conover, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “San Jose State University football team comes to Humboldt,” by Dakota Cox, Skylar Gaven, Thomas Lal, Humboldt State University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
National Winner
Meat for the mind
Jiakai Lou, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Victoria's Foil,” by Brett Forrest, Brian Ryu, Columbia University
Video Game Reporting
Video Game Reporting
National Winner
Why many disabled players call The Last of Us Part II the most accessible videogame yet
Joseph Stanichar, Ohio University
– National Finalist: “Arizona Smash community faces challenge during pandemic,” by Connor Van Ligten, Arizona State
– National Finalist: “Gamers ditch discs,” by Kaden Anderson, Utah State University
Podcasts
Podcasts
National Winner
Intractable: The rat problem
Peter Senzamici, Theresa Gaffney, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: “Real College Podcast- Protest special episode,” by Tosin Faseemo, Casey McCabe, John Kueppers, Zoe Challenger, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
– National Finalist: “DACAmented,” by Brianna Estrada, Christine D. Insigne, Arianna Rodriguez, University of La Verne
Immersion Journalism
Immersion Journalism
National Winner
Who we are: Finding home
Staff, USC Annenberg
– National Finalist: “Tour Cornell's research facility where New York's hemp industry takes root,” by Sonny Cirasuolo, Amanda Paule, Syracuse University
All Platforms
Collaborative Journalism
National Winner
Border War Rivals
Staff, Colorado State University
– National Finalist: “The Xpress 2020 California Ballot Measure Voting Guide,” by Staff, San Francisco State University
COVID-19
COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography, Large School Division
National Winner
Limbo: Alone together
Jessica Strange, University of North Texas
– National Finalist: “Caring for Mr. Frantz,” by Lexi Elder, The Pennsylvania State University
– National Finalist: “Photo Gallery: COVID-19 vaccine reaches the frontlines in the High Country,” by Jesse Barber, Appalachian State University
COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography, Small School Division
National Winner
Off the clock during COVID-19
Victoria Martinez, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage, Large School Division
National Winner
Quarantine and Coronavirus in Montana's Indian Country
Staff, University of Montana
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: “Coronavirus devastates Oxford businesses, city proposes stimulus program,” by Ceili Doyle, Miami University
– National Finalist: “Limbo: Pandemic Perspectives,” by Mayborn Photojournalists, University of North Texas
COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage, Small School Division
National Winner
COVID-19 university and border closures leave international students in confusing situations
Merlina San Nicolás Leyva, Kayla Drake and Matt Hampton, Lindenwood University
COVID-19: Video Coverage, Large School Division
National Winner
Coronavirus pandemia mundial (Coronavirus global pandemic)
Staff, California State University Fullerton
– National Finalist: “Dancing through Covid,” by Katherine Tipton, University of Oklahoma
– National Finalist: “COVID vs a college town,” by Staff, University of Florida
COVID-19: Video Coverage, Small School Division
National Winner
Campus quarantine
Micah Kennedy, Lipscomb University
– National Finalist: “COVID and tourism,” by Colette Ngo, Chapman University
– National Finalist: “Coronavirus on the Hilltop,” by Lauren Rangel, Southern Methodist University