For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Contacts: Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org Ashlynn Neumeyer, Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists congratulates the 2020 Mark of Excellence Awards national winners. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism within a calendar year.
National MOE winners are chosen from category winners in each of SPJ’s 12 regions. They are judged by journalism professionals with at least three years of experience. Lists of regional winners can be found in SPJ News.
SPJ recognizes first-place national winners at the Student Summit event during its annual conference. SPJ21 is happening Sept. 2-4 in-person in New Orleans and online.
Judges were directed to choose only those entries they considered outstanding work worthy of a national honor. If the judges determined none of the entries rose to this 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 10,000+ students and small schools have fewer than 10,000 students.
See the list below for details on national winners. Direct any MOE Awards questions to SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry.
The list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award-entry process.
Newspaper
Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Columbia Daily Spectator - by Staff, Columbia University Finalist: Loyola Phoenix - by Staff, Loyola University Chicago Finalist: The Rocky Mountain Collegian - by Staff, Colorado State University
Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small) 1-9,999+ Students Winner: Miscellany News, Pandemic Newsletters - by Staff, Vassar College Finalist: The Bethel Clarion - by Molly Korzenowski, Emma Harville, Will Jacott, Emma Gottschalk, Bethel University Finalist: The Pendulum - by Staff, Elon University
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: North complex fire - by Chloe Curtis, Kimberly Morales, Matthew Wreden, Chico State Finalist: Democracy in darkness - by Benjamin Wells, Natallie St. Onge, Marquette University Finalist: Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities - by Michelle G. Kurilla, Camille G. Caldera, Harvard College
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Outgoing Loyola director under investigation at Arizona State - by Rose Wagner, Loyola University New Orleans Finalist: Administrator goes public with concerns about racism and sexism within UP administration - by Gabi DiPaulo, University of Portland Finalist: Cedarville University will finish semester online, commencement postponed - by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
Editorial Writing Winner: Editorials - by Zachariah Chou, University of Florida Finalist: Editorials - by Editorial Board, Marquette University Finalist: Editorials - by Staff, Texas State University
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Milwaukee church protests racism through religion - by Richa Karmarkar, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Finalist: Inside the conservative media outlet feeding Harvard students to Fox News - by Malaika K. Tapper, Harvard College Finalist: Transgender awareness - by Staff, Colorado State University
Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Voices on racism - by Kyra Steck, Northwestern University Finalist: “We never realize what we have until we have it no longer” - by Joey Fox, Rebecca Tauber, Williams College Finalist: The fight doesn't stop here - by Molly Korzenowski, Bethel University
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Brammhi's Ballot - by Brammhi Balarajan, Emory University Finalist: John Hyrdrisko columns - by John Hydrisko, University of Mississippi Finalist: Navdeep Bal - by Navdeep Bal, University of California, Los Angeles
General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Opinion pieces - by Alexander Prevost, Gonzaga University Finalist: Opinion pieces - by McKenzie Ward, Framingham State University Finalist: Abroad in South Korea during COVID-19 - by Claire Lee, Pepperdine University
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: UMD workers union fights for improved COVID-19 protection - by Angela Roberts, Clara Longo de Freitas, University of Maryland, College Park Finalist: Black on campus - by Tritima Achigbu, David Silva Ramirez, University of Texas at Arlington Finalist: Between 2 worlds: how Syracuse’s racist housing policies created a racial divide - by Marnie Muñoz, Syracuse University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: “I’m doing my part:” the grocery store workers on the front lines of the pandemic - by Delaney Nelson, Northwestern University Finalist: Elon University ranks #371 for social mobility - by Grace Terry, Elon University
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: The gun edition - by Staff, Florida A&M University 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) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Trauma behind the curtain: allegations uncovered, investigation launched, professor leaves Rider - by Stephen Neukam, Rider University Finalist: An uphill battle: University of Puerto Rico students, professors respond to severe budget cuts - by Carmen Honker, William & Mary Finalist: Death and injustice in the borderlands - by Julia Woock, Southwestern College
Sports Column Writing Winner: Columns - by Peter Warren, Northwestern University Finalist: Columns - by Michael Vestey, Miami University Finalist: Football columns - by Simon Gibbs, Vanderbilt University
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Cosmo: An oral history of the viral dance - by Elisa Huhem, Brigham Young University Finalist: Raising Declan - by Aidan Bea, Texas State University Finalist: The ‘inescapable’ effect of off-campus athletics - by Staff, Columbia University
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Fighting forever - by Emma Eidsvoog, Neha Goyal, Neelam Sidhani, Bethel University Finalist: SC 1, Yankees 0 - by Andrew Sanchez, Southwestern College Finalist: CU alumni qualify for Olympic marathon trials - by Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
Magazine
Non-Fiction Magazine Article Winner: ài (爱) to love and ái (挨) to suffer - by Erin Glynn, Miami University Finalist: Thoughts, prayers & stem cells - by Katherine Sypher, Anthony J. Wallace, Arizona State University Finalist: Worn down by wellness - by Elena DeBre, Yale University
Best Student Magazine Winner: El Sol - by Staff, Southwestern College Finalist: PULSE magazine - by Maddy Wilson, Sara Roach, Kassandra Eller, Spencer Clifton, Central Washington University Finalist: Curb Pause - by Staff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Protest arrest - by Katie Goodale, University of Iowa Finalist: LAPD cruiser burns during Black Lives Matter protest - by Yasamin Jafari-Tehrani, Santa Monica College Finalist: Supporting Trump - by Noah Riffe, The Pennsylvania State University
Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Chino Hills residents debate evacuating during fire - by Jasmin Sani, Chapman University Finalist: March for Action on Alden photo - by Joe Arruda, Springfield College Finalist: Nashville tornado damage - by Mckenzi Harris, Lipscomb University
Data Visualization Winner: California propositions 2020 - by Sonia Hiew, Michael Goldsmith, Santa Monica College Finalist: Colorado’s 2020 election explained in 9 graphs - by Sam Ye, Colorado State University Finalist: The Ivy League was late to respond to COVID-19. Data shows international universities did better - by Staff, Columbia University
Editorial Cartooning Winner: Daily Bruin cartoons - by Andrea Grigsby, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Student proved - by Derek Snyder, Oregon State University
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Capturing and documenting trauma in Panama - by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University Finalist: Illuminated dancers - by Elias Valverde II, University of Texas at Arlington Finalist: Hemp Harvest Festival buzzes with freedom - by Emily Kenny, Syracuse University
Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Black Lives Matter: The digital mobilization of citizen journalists - by Julia Navarro, Humboldt State University Finalist: Behind the lens: Altering perspective - by Alexander Johansen, Minnesota State University Moorhead Finalist: University steps into Black History Month - by Maegan Mendoza, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Activist group marches through Arlington - by Elias Valverde II, University of Texas at Arlington Finalist: Bayview coalition demands justice for environmental racism - by Harika Maddala, San Francisco State University Finalist: Hugging with hope - by Lucy Morantz, Colorado State University
General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Police take a knee to show solidarity at peaceful protest - by Ben Levitt, Mercer County Community College Finalist: No more bruises - by Zach Walker, Will Jacott, Hersh Singh, Emma Gottschalk, Bethel University Finalist: Health science safety photo - by Tony Reeves, University of Indianapolis
Photo Illustration Winner: Wonderland - by Sam Balmer, University of Missouri-Columbia Finalist: A clear victory - by Andy Caress, Virginia Commonwealth University Finalist: Basketball season preview - by David Onwukeme, University of Utah
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: FAU defeats UMass, finishing perfect at home under Willie Taggart’s inaugural season - by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University Finalist: Men’s lacrosse grinds out second-half comeback for massive win in defensive showdown - by Zoe Davis, Syracuse University Finalist: Iowa-Ohio state wrestling - by Shivansh Ahuja, University of Iowa
Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Sophomore forward Clay Gayman leaps over junior forward Gavin Kensmil for a layup - by David Mitchell, Abilene Christian University
Radio
Best All-Around Radio Newscast Winner: Carolina Connection - by Staff, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Finalist: WNUR 6:00 News - by Angelina Campanile, Helen Bradshaw, Alex Harrison, Olivia Lloyd, Northwestern University Finalist: Newsline - by Staff, Hofstra University
Radio Feature Winner: Chess parlor sees an uptick in popularity after ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ - by Holly DeMuth, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY Finalist: When eviction court moved to Zoom, this attorney kept fighting for renters’ rights - by Daisy Espinoza, University of Houston Finalist: ‘Swamp therapy' hikes aim to connect south Floridians to the Everglades - by Maria Esquinca, University of Miami
Radio In-Depth Reporting Winner: Choose to refuse: Escaping the cycle of addiction - by Nesrien Abdelkader, The American University in Cairo Finalist: Explained: President Trump's election lawsuits - by Angelina Campanile, Northwestern University Finalist: Zoonotic diseases traced to illegal wildlife trade - by Caitlynn McDaniel, Arizona State University
Radio News Reporting Winner: Phoenix area restaurants survival - by Caitlynn McDaniel, Arizona State University Finalist: Buzi bus service - by Alix Larson, Minnesota State University Moorhead Finalist: Project Little Shell: Questioning blood quantum - by Mary Auld, University of Montana
Radio Sports Reporting Winner: Pink Dragon Ladies - by Gabriela Mercurio, University of Florida Finalist: SU's fight for social justice - by Jenna Fink, Syracuse University Finalist: Gabe Trujillo, Spanish-speaking PBP voice of AZ Cardinals - by Jonah Hrkal, Arizona State University
Television
Best All-Around Television News Magazine Winner: Routes TV — Oklahoma's mental health battle - by Stingray Schuller, Aspen Endriss, University of Oklahoma Finalist: The forgotten city - by Staff, University of Florida
Bests All-Around Television Newscast Winner: NewsVision - by Jenna Weiss, Spencer Askinazy, Ben Ezzy, Tyler Walsh, University of Miami Finalist: Focal Point - by Staff, Michigan State University Finalist: Chapman News - by Staff, Chapman University
Television Breaking News Reporting Winner: Press Bar and Parlor burns to the ground - by Tony Langfellow, Saint Cloud State University Finalist: Trolley accident - by Greg Bradbury, Syracuse University
Television Feature Reporting Winner: Biden at SU - by Ricky Sayer, Syracuse University Finalist: Virtual pow wow dancing - by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University Finalist: Old school activism: A history of protest at Northwestern - by Joey Maya Safchik, Northwestern University
Television General News Reporting Winner: ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime event.’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University Finalist: Firefighter cancer - by Dylan McKim, Arizona State University Finalist: Five months after Hurricane Dorian at the Abaco Lodge - by Payton Tysinger, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Television In-Depth Reporting Winner: Dust-to-dust - by Parker Thune, Ben Possehl, University of Oklahoma Finalist: Four Days, 5 Murders - by Chris O'Brien, University of Florida Finalist: COVID prisons - by Katelyn Keenehan, Arizona State University
Television Sports Reporting Winner: Skating through adversity - by Michael Gutnick, Arizona State University Finalist: A heart of a champion and the mind of a (ninja) warrior - by Sydney Wicker, Colorado State University
Online
Best Affiliated Web Site Winner: Curb Pause - by Staff, University of Wisconsin-Madison Finalist: redandblack.com - by Staff, University of Georgia Finalist: Elon News Network - by Staff, Elon University
Best Independent Online Student Publication Winner: JOVRNALISM - by Staff, USC Annenberg Finalist: Talisman Website - by Website Staff, Western Kentucky University Finalist: The 61% Project - by Staff, Syracuse University
Best Use of Multimedia Winner: Five years after SAE - by Paxson Haws, University of Oklahoma Finalist: As Juneteenth approached, students across the country protested racism and police brutality - by The Eagle, American University Finalist: Who we are: Finding home - by Staff, USC Annenberg
Online Feature Reporting Winner: The Candy Man can - by Kailey Pickering, Colorado State University Finalist: Rising waters - by Staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Finalist: Softening stigma - by Emily Isaacman, Karli VanCleave, Mel Fronczek, Indiana University
Online In-Depth Reporting Winner: Panama – where the world waits at America’s door - by Calah Schlabach, Nino Abdaladze, Daja Henry, Anthony J. Wallace, Arizona State University Finalist: High stakes: The risks and rewards of legalizing marijuana - by Staff, Syracuse University Finalist: The Red Flag Law as a means of suicide prevention - by Anna Dunn, Colorado State University
Online News Reporting Winner: Operation Agent Touch - by Staff of Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University Finalist: In a time when caring more is vital, the UW system chose to care less - by Jodie Filenius, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Finalist: BERT sit-in - by Staff, University of Oklahoma
Online Opinion & Commentary Winner: Forget about politics, why Black lives matter - by Carmen Fanning, Fort Hays State University Finalist: A history of BSU’s demands: Repeating our university’s oppressive past - by Opinion team, University of Washington - Seattle 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 Winner: How sports culture undermines athletes long after they graduate - by Madeleine Davison, Syracuse University Finalist: A gridiron legacy uncovered: How Northwestern football players risked it all for racial equality - by Lia Assimakopoulos, Northwestern University Finalist: Lacrosse coach released from contract amid potential cuts to scholarships and roster spots of five players - by Spencer Nusbaum, American University
Videography
Broadcast Feature Videography Winner: Beyond the finish line - by Victor Prieto, University of Florida Finalist: Virtual pow wow dancing - by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University Finalist: A sound to soldier on - by Mikayla Temple, Michigan State University
Broadcast News Videography Winner: Door to disaster - by Joseline Donoso, University of Florida Finalist: They've been waiting for this day - by Ian Gilmour, Michigan State University Finalist: The essential workers of the Coachella Valley - by Edwin Flores, California State University Fullerton
Broadcast Sports Videography Winner: All you need is a set of wheels... And one of these - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University Finalist: ‘Project Dad' - by Julianna D'Urzo, Lindsay Eastwood, Peyton Smith, Syracuse University Finalist: Saints weather the storms - by Victor Prieto, University of Florida
Online/Digital Feature Videography Winner: Meat for the mind - by Jiakai Lou, University of Montana Finalist: Victoria's Foil - by Brett Forrest, Brian Ryu, Columbia University
Online/Digital News Videography Winner: Where are the students? An enrollment investigation - by Quinn Corcoran, University of Montana Finalist: Black at Kent State - by Staff, Kent State University Finalist: SF State student stuck in Ghana - by David Sjostedt, San Francisco State University
Online/Digital Sports Videography Winner: Chasing the dragon - by Cole Strong, Syracuse University Finalist: Maggie Nichols: Courageous - by Will Conover, University of Oklahoma Finalist: San Jose State University football team comes to Humboldt - by Dakota Cox, Skylar Gaven, Thomas Lal, Humboldt State Univeristy
Immersion Journalism
Immersion Journalism Winner: Who we are: Finding home - by Staff, USC Annenberg Finalist: Tour Cornell's research facility where New York's hemp industry takes root - by Sonny Cirasuolo, Amanda Paule, Syracuse University
Podcast
Podcast Winner: Intractable: The rat problem - by Peter Senzamici, Theresa Gaffney, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY Finalist: Real College Podcast- Protest special episode - by Tosin Faseemo, Casey McCabe, John Kueppers, Zoe Challenger, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Finalist: DACAmented - by Brianna Estrada, Christine D. Insigne, Arianna Rodriguez, University of La Verne
All Platforms
Collaborative Journalism Winner: Border War Rivals - by Staff, Colorado State University Finalist: The Xpress 2020 California Ballot Measure Voting Guide - by Staff, San Francisco State University
Video game reporting Winner: Why many disabled players call The Last of Us Part II the most accessible videogame yet - by Joseph Stanichar, Ohio University Finalist: Arizona Smash community faces challenge during pandemic - by Connor Van Ligten, Arizona State Finalist: Gamers ditch discs - by Kaden Anderson, Utah State University
COVID-19
COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Limbo: Alone together - by Jessica Strange, University of North Texas Finalist: Caring for Mr. Frantz - by Lexi Elder, The Pennsylvania State University 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) 1-9,999+ Students Winner: Off the clock during COVID-19 - by Victoria Martinez, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Quarantine and Coronavirus in Montana's Indian Country - by Staff, University of Montana Finalist: Coronavirus devastates Oxford businesses, city proposes stimulus program - by Ceili Doyle, Miami University Finalist: Limbo: Pandemic Perspectives - by Mayborn Photojournalists, University of North Texas
COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Disconnected: Students struggle with e-learning obstacles, lawmakers earmark solutions - by Brenda Wintrode, Sean McGoey, University of Maryland, College Park Finalist: COVID-19 university and border closures leave international students in confusing situations - by Merlina San Nicolás Leyva, Kayla Drake, Matt Hampton, Lindenwood University Finalist: Isolated and misinformed: My aftermath regarding Coronavirus - by Luis Joel Méndez González, University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo
COVID-19: Video Coverage (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Coronavirus pandemia mundial (Coronavirus global pandemic) - by Staff, California State University Fullerton Finalist: Dancing through COVID - by Katherine Tipton, University of Oklahoma Finalist: COVID vs a college town - by Staff, University of Florida
COVID-19: Video Coverage (Small) 1-9,999+ Students Winner: Campus quarantine - by Micah Kennedy, Lipscomb University Finalist: COVID and tourism - by Colette Ngo, Chapman University Finalist: Coronavirus on the Hilltop - by Lauren Rangel, Southern Methodist University
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