For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Monday, April 6, 2020
Contacts: Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJ’s Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
Regional winners would normally be recognized at regional conferences, however, all SPJ Regional Conferences have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail.
National winners will be notified in the late spring.
MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.
School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.
The list below details all Region 4 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Matthew Kent via email or phone at 317-920-4788.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.
Newspapers Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: One stable after Ohio State campus-area shooting – by Sam Raudins and Lantern Staff, Ohio State University Finalist: Athens police face backlash from social media users, UC student leaders over weekend arrest – by Keely Brown, University of Cincinnati Finalist: ‘Call 9-1-1, I feel like I’m going to die.’ Miami frat suspended and members face criminal charges – by Tim Carlin, Ceili Doyle and Rachel Berry, Miami University
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Harrison Dillard, 1949 grad and four-time Olympic gold medal winner, passes away – by Charlie Egli, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: University considering breaking Methodist affiliation – by Emma Selmon, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: Lightning strikes Saylor Hall, starts fire – by Skylar Sakonyi, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Ohio University’s party school reputation fell off in the 2010s – by Keri Johnson, Ohio University Finalist: Fighting for life: How an infestations pest has killed eastern hemlock trees across Appalachia – by Ashton Nichols, Ohio University Finalist: Snow day – by Daily Athenaeum staff, West Virginia University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students Winner: Waynesburg police carry Narcan to save more lives – by Rachel Pellegrino, Waynesburg University Finalist: LGBTQ issues lead BW to sever 174-year Methodist affiliation – by Emma Selmon and Kasey Hughes, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: CASA volunteers advocate for kids at risk in county – by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Exploring the dark side of Greek life: FOIA request details more than a decade of accusations against Phi Sigma Phi – by Melissa Frick, Andrew Mullin and Sara Kellner, Central Michigan University Finalist: Meet the student who initiated an investigation into Athens City School District’s Title IX policies – by Maggie Campbell, Ohio University Finalist: Coverage of firing of Coach Jerry Reighard – by Evan Petzold, Central Michigan University
In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students Winner: Students visiting counseling center have tripled in year – by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University Finalist: Drug disorder, by the numbers – by Edward Boice, Waynesburg University Finalist: Clery Act data shows small schools experience less crime – by Holly Hendershot, Waynesburg University
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: 107-year-old Miami alumna reflects on her college years – by Alex Cox, Miami University
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Media therapy – by Will Gorman, Miami University
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Myja White finds solace in creativity – by Christopher Vinel, Miami University Finalist: A father and son shared a sport. Now, they share a team. – by Emily Dattilo, Miami University Finalist: Antonio Plus 1 – by Ian Kreider, Kent State University
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Back for more: 1 senior night not enough for Wolford – by Tim Miller, Cedarville University Finalist: The Carroll News sports writing – by Kyle Kelly, John Carroll University Finalist: Freshman QB racking up wins – by Charlie Egli, Baldwin Wallace University
Sports Column Writing Winner: Christopher Vinel, Miami University Finalist: Brady Pfister, Miami University Finalist: Kyle Kelly, John Carroll University
Editorial Writing Winner: The Post editorials – by Staff of The Post, Ohio University Finalist: Editorial-in-chief – by Douglas Soule, West Virginia University Finalist: The Miami Student editorial writing – by The Miami Student’s Editorial Board, Miami University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper Winner: Central Michigan Life – by Dylan Goetz and Emma Dale, Central Michigan University Finalist: Cedars – by Staff, Cedarville University Finalist: The University Times – by Donal MacNamee, Cormac Watson, Katy Amos and Aisling Marren, Trinity College Dublin
Collaborative Journalism
Collaborative Journalism Winner: Generation Opioids – by West Virginia University and George Washington University
Magazines
Non-Fiction Magazine Article Winner: Monument man – by Ceili Doyle, Miami University Finalist: Covering a crisis: Young journalists undertake heavy reporting on the Dayton shooting – by Leanne Stahulak, Miami University Finalist: Four-legged doctors – by Carmen Nesbitt, Wayne State University
Best Student Magazine Winner: In Living Color - by Staff of UP Magazine, Miami University Finalist: Vol. 12, Issue 3: The Community Issue - by Staff, Ohio University Finalist: YOU are Here – by Staff, Ohio University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Lightning strikes Saylor Hall, starts fire – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Not just a body – by Sophia Adornetto, Kent State University Finalist: The story of Ben Schlater, the Vinton Elementary School teacher turned pro boxer – by Blake Nissen, Ohio University Finalist: Cincinnati Period Day rally – by Mary LeBus, University of Cincinnati
Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Bold + Gold Festival – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Students take to College Green to protest budget crisis – by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University
General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Rake’s progress – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: Passing the crown – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Cal U for life – by Lily Gongaware, California University of Pennsylvania Finalist: Wrestling champions – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: One of the giants of BW – by Staff, Baldwin Wallace University
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Flying high – by Sara Donato, Kent State University Finalist: Redhawks host Toledo and look for fourth straight win – by Macy Whitaker, Miami University Finalist: West Virginia vs. Iowa State – by Duncan Slade, West Virginia University
Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Header – Soccer – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: Eyeing the enemy – Football – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University Finalist: Swimming – by Jesse Kucewicz, Baldwin Wallace University
Radio
Best All-Around Radio Newscast Winner: Newscenter 88 3-13-19 – by Staff of Newscenter 88, Marshall University
Radio News Reporting Winner: House fire shows communities kindness – by Makaylah Wheeler, Marshall University
Radio Sports Reporting Winner: Jon Elmore’s legendary career – by Tyler Kennett, Marshall University Finalist: Taylor Porter feature – by Andrew Rogers, Marshall University Finalist: Marshall football’s evolving offense – by Nick Verzolini, Marshall University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting Winner: Campus shooting – by Shayla Klein, West Virginia University Finalist: I signed a lease to live there next year – by Katie Birecki, Michigan State University Finalist: We want to provide a future that people look forward to – by Brandon Rothenberg, Michigan State University
Television General News Reporting Winner: Continue to serve – by Alyssa Burr, Michigan State University Finalist: Transgender discrimination in the Mountain State – by Darren Hartwell, West Virginia University Finalist: Finding her voice – by Kendall Ashman, Michigan State University
Television Feature Reporting Winner: Bridge day – by Sarah Poteracki, West Virginia University Finalist: It’s more than just grass and dirt – by Michael Epps, Michigan State University Finalist: Play for pay – by Joey Ellis, Michigan State University
Television In-Depth Reporting Winner: Inpatient care in the Mountain State – by Sarah Poteracki, West Virginia University
Television Sports Reporting Winner: Crown Boxing Club teaching students more after school – by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University Finalist: ‘He just melted my heart, he was just that one kid I really liked’ – by Christine Kanerva, Michigan State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast Winner: Focal Point News 11-22-2019 – by Staff of Focal Point, Michigan State University Finalist: TV2 KSU Best Television Newscast Entry – by Staff of TV2, Kent State University Finalist: Oxford Weekly News – by Staff of Oxford Weekly News, Miami University
Online
Online News Reporting Winner: A harsh reality for undocumented immigrants in Butler County – by Maia Anderson, Miami University Finalist: ARMCO plant in New Miami: An environmental danger or economic opportunity? – by Patrick Keck, Miami University Finalist: Solutions Journalism: A review and analysis of patterns – by Michigan State University School of Journalism Media, Society & Theory class, Michigan State University
Online In-Depth Reporting Winner: Rebuilding families – by Anna N. Saab, West Virginia University Finalist: ‘We’re ready for a fresh start’: The aftermath of a faculty union strike – by Sarah Cavender, Wright State University Finalist: Baileys Trail System: What its construction means for Athens County – by Emily Crebs, Ohio University
Online Opinion & Commentary Winner: The Daily Northwestern and its impact on ethical journalism – by Charlotte Caldwell, Ohio University
Online Sports Reporting Winner: RedHawks win MAC championship – by Massillon Myers, Miami University
Best Independent Online Student Publication Winner: Women Beyond Bars – by Staff of WomenBeyondBars.com, West Virginia University
Podcast
Podcast Winner: This Week @ TMS – Does Miami fail sexual assault survivors? – by Ben Deeter, Miami University Finalist: Coping in college: Navigating mental health – by Ceili Doyle and Megan Zahneis, Miami University Finalist: Ministry Moments Podcasts – by Breanna Beers, Cedarville University
Videography
Broadcast News Videography Winner: They’re no different than traditional sports – by Tony Black, Michigan State University Finalist: How a bright idea turned into a BRITE business – by Ruta Ulcinaite, Michigan State University Finalist: New Michigan State bike lane – by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University
Broadcast Feature Videography Winner: I don’t know if I was nervous. I don’t know if I was excited. – by Tony Black, Michigan State University Finalist: 30 years of student radio – by Griffin Stroin, Michigan State University Finalist: I’ll plant trees as long as I’m physically able to – by Tony Black, Michigan State University
Broadcast Sports Videography Winner: It’s the best smell in the world – by Michael Epps, Michigan State University Finalist: A trip to Camp Randall – by Ian Gilmour, Michigan State University
Online/Digital Feature Videography Winner: Cal U’s club and organization fair, fall 2019 – by Sam Kuhne, California University of Pennsylvania Finalist: The demolition of Brown House – by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University Finalist: Aaron Rop: A journey from battling cancer to becoming a Chippewa – by Ryan Wright, Central Michigan University
Online/Digital News Videography Winner: March 2 shooting documentary: Looking back one year later – by Natalie McCorvie, Central Michigan University Finalist: Brownsville Sheetz Store marks grand opening – by Colin Kirkwood, California University of Pennsylvania
Online/Digital Sports Videography Winner: Yellow Jackets basketball travels to Ohio State – by Jacob Bentley and Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
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