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Region 2 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in Norfolk


4/22/2013

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Lauren Rochester, SPJ Director of Awards, 317.927.8000 ext. 210, awards@spj.org
Christine DiGangi, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317.927.8000 ext. 205, cdigangi@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists gladly recognizes the 2012 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 2. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 2 comprises Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 19 at the Region 2 Spring Conference in Norfolk, Va. First-place winners will move on to the national MOE competition among category winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2013 (EIJ13) in Southern California, Aug. 24 to 26. The awards are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience.

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 such an 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: Large schools have more than 10,000 students, medium have 9,999 to 5,001 students, and small have fewer than 5,000 students.

See the list below for details on the Region 2 winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Director of Awards Lauren Rochester: awards@spj.org and 317.927.8000 ext. 210. Note: The list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award-entry process.

NEWSPAPERS
Breaking News Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Superstorm Sandy” by The GW Hatchet Staff, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Second Place: “33 women’s rights protesters arrested at Capitol” by Leah Small, Rappahannock News; Loudoun Times; CNS, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: “Two tragedies for Towson” by Lauren Slavin, The Towerlight, Towson University

Breaking News Reporting (Medium)
First Place: “Flowers vetoes resolution against Chick-fil-A” by Katherine Blunt, The Pendulum, Elon University

Breaking News Reporting (Small)
First Place: “UVa-Wise mourns Chancellor David Prior’s death” by Jordan Fifer, The Highland Cavalier, University of Virginia's College at Wise

General News Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Victims speak up on sexual assault” by Caitlin McCabe, The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “The rise and fall of a dynasty” by Yasmeen Abutaleb & Rebecca Lurye, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Athletes Accused” by Rebecca Gitlen, The Appalachian, Appalachian State University

General News Reporting (Medium)
First Place: “AU's adjuncts unionize” by Paige Jones, The Eagle, American University
Second Place: “AU lobbied Congress for Spring Valley cleanup” by Alex Greco, The Eagle, American University
Third Place: “More students seek Counseling Center’s help” by Samantha Hogan, The Eagle, American University

General News Reporting (Small)
First Place: “Real Impact: How a dangerous fake Id website was shut down by an article” by John McAuliff, USA TODAY, University of Richmond
Second Place: “Heat Had Couple 'Living like Moles'” by Tilden Bowditch, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington and Lee University
Third Place: “Personal Info Tapped with an App” by John C McAuliff, USA TODAY, University of Richmond

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Justice denied? Richmond ALJ hearing Social Security claims has one of the highest denial rates” by Sean Collins-Smith & Brandon Shulleeta, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: “Hatchet coverage of GW's inflated admissions data” by the GW Hatchet Staff, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Third Place: “White Student Union” by Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Brandi Bottalico & Jonathan Munshaw, The Towerlight, Towson University

In-Depth Reporting (Medium)
First Place: “Breast-feeding, news judgment under scrutiny after national attention” by Rachel S. Karas, The Eagle, American University
Second Place: “Water worries: Fracking studies raise concerns among Chatham County farmers” by Katherine Blunt, The Pendulum, Elon University
Third Place: “Battle for America: A four-part series” by Matt Phillips & Emily Pakes, Campus Echo, North Carolina Central University

Feature Writing (Large)
First Place: “The American Dream” by Lauren Slavin, The Towerlight, Towson University
Second Place: “Incoming graduate student was a victim of Colorado shooting” by Laura Blasey, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Can Facebook Solve Rutherford County's Unemployment Crisis?” by Hank Shell, Carolina Public Press, Appalachian State University

Feature Writing (Medium)
First Place: “Inside the rehearsal of 'Rave'” by Matt Phillips, Campus Echo, North Carolina Central University
Second Place: “Fraternity house maintenance director rebuilds life in wake of conquered alcoholism” by Katherine Blunt, The Pendulum, Elon University
Third Place: “Portrait of an artist as a visual activist” by Matt Phillips, Campus Echo, North Carolina Central University

Feature Writing (Small)
First Place: “Palestinian Youth at a Crossroads” by Anna Van Hollen, The Atlantic Online, Pulitzer Center Untold Stories, Davidson College
Second Place: “Men Accused of Trafficking Stolen Medicine Lived Double Lives in South Florida” by Michael McGuire, El Nuevo Herald, Washington and Lee University
Third Place: “5 Days Left: Election 2012” by John C McAuliff, Rebecca Wilson & Abby Kahler, The University of Richmond Collegian, University of Richmond

Sports Writing (Large)
First Place: “Larger than life: Six things you don't know about A.J. Francis” by Connor Letourneau, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Second Place: “'Living the dream': The Zachary Lederer story” by Chris Eckard, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Fallen Striker” by Quinn Casteel, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University

Sports Writing (Small)
First Place: “Dissecting the arm and mind of Jaime Schultz” by Henry Molski, Campus Chronicle, High Point University

Editorial Writing (Large)
First Place: The GW Hatchet's Editorial Board, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Second Place: The Diamondback Editorial Board, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Third Place: Shane Wade, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University

General Column Writing (Large)
First Place: Zack Budryk, Style Weekly, Richmond's alternative newsweekly, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: Annu Subramanian, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Third Place: Memet Walker, The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sports Column Writing (Large)
First Place: Chase Kiddy, The Breeze, James Madison University
Second Place: Connor Letourneau, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Third Place: Josh Vitale, The Diamondback, University of Maryland

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
First Place: The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Second Place: The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper (Large)
First Place: The Breeze, James Madison University
Second Place: The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Third Place: The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper (Medium)
First Place: The Eagle, American University
Second Place: The Pendulum, Elon University
Third Place: Campus Echo, North Carolina Central University

MAGAZINE
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
First Place: “Language Unlocks New Life” by Sarah Lockwood, Curio Magazine, James Madison University
Second Place: “Keeping Sex Workers on the Street” by Ashley DeJean, American Way of Life Magazine, American University
Third Place: “Local Activists Battle Sex Trafficking: Stopping Slavery in the Nation's Capital” by Rachel Lomot, American Way of Life Magazine (AWOL), American University

Best Student Magazine
First Place: Ramble Magazine, VCU Student Media Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: Ink Magazine, VCU Student Media Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: The Edge, Elon University

ART/GRAPHICS
Breaking News Photography (Large)
First Place: “Person struck by train at Foggy Bottom Metro” by Francis Rivera, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University

General News Photography (Large)
First Place: “Traevon Martin rally” by Amber-Lynn Taber, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: “Breaking the mold” by Amber-Lynn Taber, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: “Snapshot: Occupy D.C.” by Freddo Lin, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University

Feature Photography (Large)
First Place: “Proteus Bicycles” by Charlie DeBoyace, The Diamondback, University of Maryland
Second Place: “Community Unites by Candlelight Series” by Matthew Hazlett, The Towerlight, Towson University
Third Place: “The Ultimate Hike” by Robert Boag, Port & Main, James Madison University

Feature Photography (Small)
First Place: “Behind Algeria's Tattoos: A Portrait Series” by Yasmin Bendaas, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Wake Forest University

Photo Illustration (Large)
First Place: “Princess of Black Poetry” by Shawnte Callahan, The Towerlight, Towson University
Second Place: “Digital Activism” by Devin Smith, The Towerlight, Towson University

Photo Illustration (Medium)
First Place: “Chick-fil-A: Here to Stay?” by Claire Esparros,The Pendulum, Elon University

Sports Photography (Large)
First Place: “It Ends 03.19.12 Conway” by Chris Conway, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: “Rich City Racing 04.30.12” by Chris Conway, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: “Heartbreak in Hoover” by Charlie DeBoyace, The Diamondback, University of Maryland

Editorial Cartooning (Large)
First Place: Spencer Ward, The Breeze, James Madison University
Second Place: Phillip Whisenhunt, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: Dan Nacu, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University

RADIO
Radio News Reporting
First Place: “UNC police urge pedestrians, drivers to pay more attention” by Ashley Gunsteens, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “President Obama visits UNC” by Michael Tomsic, Kirsten Chang, John Caisson & Wesley Graham, Carolina Connection , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Third Place: “EpiPen Law May Save Kids with Allergies, Amir Vera, VCU Capital News Service / WVCW, Virginia Commonwealth University

Radio Feature
First Place: “Cats find refuge with Pittsboro artist” by Grace Joyal, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “Student all-nighters may do more harm than good” by Daniel Lane, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Third Place: “O'Malley Drops Politics for a Guitar” by Scott Kornberg, Capital News Service, University of Maryland

Radio In-Depth Reporting
First Place: “Chancellor Thorp's Resignation (Series)” by Staff of Carolina Connection, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Radio Sports Reporting
First Place: “UNC uniform palette now includes more than Carolina Blue” by Mike Rodriguez, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “Soccer players face concussion risk” by Will Rimer, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
First Place: Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

TELEVISION
Television Breaking News Reporting
First Place: “University Shooter” by Katelin Wangberg, UMTV, University of Maryland
Second Place: “Westboro Protest” by Whitney Harris, UMTV, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Speech Relocation” by Josh Fendrick, Capital News Service, University of Maryland

Television General News Reporting
First Place: “Foreclosures” by Ana Sebescen, UMTV, University of Maryland
Second Place: “Crisfield Crisis” by Lyndsey Wallen, Capital News Service Television, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Maryland Oysters: Struggles and Recovery,” by Annie Emberland, UMTV, University of Maryland

Television Feature Reporting
First Place: “The Cloud Juicer” by Joshua Davis & Jon Kasbe, Powering A Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “Farmers Practice Environmental Stewardship in the Shenandoah Valley” by Lani Furbank, JMU Today, James Madison University
Third Place: “Boy Baker” by Whitney Harris, UMTV, University of Maryland

Television In-Depth Reporting
First Place: “NC a Swing State” by Averi Harper & Alex Giles, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “DOJ Investigation into ACSO” by Joe Bruno, Elon Local News, Elon University
Third Place: “Official Removal” by Josh Fendrick, Capital News Service, University of Maryland

Television Sports Reporting
First Place: “Knight Commission Issues Report” by Josh Fendrick, Capital News Service, University of Maryland
Second Place: “Getting in the Head of a Concussion” by Steve Roth, Elon Local News (formerly Phoenix-14 News), Elon University
Third Place: “Profile of Hubert Davis” by Julian Caldwell, Sports Extra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television Feature Photography
First Place: “Fractured” by Joshua Davis, Powering A Nation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television Sports Photography
First Place: “Futbol” by Ana Sebescen, UMTV, University of Maryland
Second Place: “UVA vs. UNC” by Mike Rodriguez, Sports Extra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Third Place: “Late Night With Roy” by Johnny Gil, Sports Extra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Television Newscast
First Place: VCU InSight, WCVW-TV, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: Carolina Week: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Third Place: Maryland Newsline, UMTV, University of Maryland

ONLINE
Online News Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Republican and Democratic National Conventions” by Capital News Service Staff, Capital News Service - University of Maryland, University of Maryland
Second Place: “Maryland Families: Falling Behind” by staff of The Capital News Service, Capital News Service; also Baltimore Sun, others, University of Maryland

Online News Reporting (Small)
First Place: “BV budget gap may force big changes for students, teachers” by Kelly Mae Ross, The Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University
Second Place: “Foreclosures in Rockbridge” by Scott Harrison & Caitlin Doermer, Eye on Rockbridge, Washington and Lee University

Online Feature Reporting (Large)
First Place: “The Undocumentary” by Joshua Davis, Carolina Photojournalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place: “Maryland Families: Falling Behind” by Staff of The Capital News Service, Capital News Service; Baltimore Sun, other outlets, University of Maryland
Third Place: “Living Galapagos” by Pat Davison, Jon Kasbe & Kathryn Carlson, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Online Feature Reporting (Small)
First Place: “Election Day 2012: Watch Guide and Predictions” by John C McAuliff, The University of Richmond Collegian, University of Richmond
Second Place: “Richmond Alumnus makes big impact on Obama re-election” by John C McAuliff, The University of Richmond Collegian, University of Richmond

Online In-Depth Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Maryland Families: Falling Behind” by Staff of The Capital News Service, Capital News Service; also Baltimore Sun and other, University of Maryland
Second Place: “The CT News Report 10/28/12” by The Commonwealth Times Staff, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University
Third Place: “Election 2012 coverage” by The GW Hatchet Staff, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University

Online In-Depth Reporting (Medium)
First Place: “Investigation of Alamance County Sheriff's Office” by Brennan McGovern & Joe Bruno, Elon Local News, Elon University

Online In-Depth Reporting (Small)
First Place: “Poor Diet: Not Enough Food and the Wrong Kind” by Billy Crosby, Tory Dickerson, Killeen King & Jessica Strait, journalism.wlu.edu/FoodinRockbridge/, Washington and Lee University
Second Place: “The Chesapeake Bay: An Uncertain Future” by Robert Grattan, Kelsy McCraw & Tyler Tokarczyk, chesapeake.academic.wlu.edu, Washington and Lee University
Third Place: “Bad Choices: More Rockbridge Women Dealing Drugs” by The Preliminary Hearing, The Preliminary Hearing website, Washington and Lee University

Online Sports Reporting (Large)
First Place: “Getting down and derby” by Marie McGrory, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Second Place: “Merten's impact felt in balance of academics and athletics” by Pat Carroll, Connect2Mason, George Mason University
Third Place: “Shaka Smart instills resolve in Rams” by Tommy Lopez & Logan Whitton, Rams Review, Virginia Commonwealth University

Online Opinion & Commentary (Large)
First Place: Ayobami Olugbemiga, COMMUNITIES DIGITAL NEWS, LLC AT WASHINGTON TIMES, George Washington University

Best Affiliated Web Site (Large)
First Place: gwhatchet.com, The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Second Place: CNSMaryland.org, Capital News Service, University of Maryland
Third Place: dailytarheel.com, The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best Affiliated Web Site (Medium)
First Place: ElonPendulum.com, The Pendulum, Elon University

Best Independent Online Student Publication (Large)
First Place: The Horn, Virginia Commonwealth University
Second Place: Rams Review, Virginia Commonwealth University

Best Independent Online Student Publication (Small)
First Place: The Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.