The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced its 2012 Mark of Excellence (MOE) Award winners from region 4 last week, and JMC students and student media earned 24 top placements in 19 categories -- the highest number of winners among all regional entrants. JMC took first place in nine categories, including newspapers, magazine, art/graphics, TV and online. The nine first-place winners will move on to the national MOE competition, with results due later this spring.
SPJ’s region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and parts of western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh. JMC competes in the large university division in the MOE Awards. Divisions are based on undergraduate and graduate enrollment. Large divisions are universities and colleges with more than 10,000 students.
SPJ works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists. Its annual competition honors the best in student journalism as determined by judges who are directed to “choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of such an honor.”
“This is exactly where we expect to be,” said Thor Wasbotten, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “Winning more awards than any other institution in our region demonstrates the quality of our students and the professionalism of their work.”
JMC regional award winners include:
NEWSPAPERS Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Third Place: “‘Cope Court’ donor withdraws $1 million gift” by Doug Brown
In-Depth Reporting (Large)
First Place: “The courting of Jason Cope: Behind the scenes of a $1 million withdrawal” by Doug Brown
Second Place: “Board highlights praise, hides criticism in Lefton evaluation” by Doug Brown and Rex Santus
Feature Writing (Large)
First Place: “An impossible search” by Leighann McGivern
Sports Writing (Large)
First Place: “90ksu reached with help of departmental money” by Doug Brown Editorial Writing (Large)
First Place: Daily Kent Stater Staff General Column Writing (Large) Third Place: Jody Michael Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (Large) Second Place: Daily Kent Stater MAGAZINE Non-Fiction Magazine Article
First Place: “Climbing the Ladder” by Daniel Moore
Second Place: “Waiting for ‘I do’” by Leighann McGivern
Third Place: “Making amends with my invisible half” by Rebecca Reis Best Student Magazine
Second Place: Fusion Spring 2012 issue
Third Place: The Burr, ART/GRAPHICS
Breaking News Photography (Large)
First Place: “College Fest” by Philip Botta Feature Photography (Large)
Third Place: “Little big man” by Rachel Le Goubin Photo Illustration (Large)
Second Place: “Moving Out” by Brian Smith Sports Photography (Large)
Third Place: “Painful Loss” by Matt Hafley TELEVISION
Best All-Around Television Newscast
First Place: TV2 News
ONLINE
Online News Reporting (Large)
Second Place: “College Fest riots” by KentWired.com Staff
Online Feature Reporting (Large)
Third Place: “A Search for LIght” by Chelsie Corso
Online In-Depth Reporting (Large)
First Place: “The courting of b>Jason Cope: Behind the scenes of a $1 million withdrawal” by Doug Brown, Frank Yonkof and Rachel Kilroy
Second Place: “Board highlights praise, hides criticism in Lefton evaluation” by Doug Brown and Rex Santus Online Sports Reporting (Large)
First Place: “90ksu reached with help of departmental money” by Doug Brown Best Affiliated Website (Large)
Third Place: KentWired.com