4/13/2021
CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org
Ashlynn Neumeyer, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 4 with 2020 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.
National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at SPJ’s national conference.
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 Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email or 317-920-4786.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories were added this year for COVID-19 and video game reporting.
Newspaper
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students break quarantine to host party; OPD issues first gathering ban citations - by Caroline Haubenstricker, Miami University
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Breaking: Cedarville University will finish semester online, commencement postponed - by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: From farm to fridge farming in Southeast Ohio allows for sustainable approach in milk industry - by Ashton Nichols, Ohio University
Finalist: Alumni and students discuss race issues at CMU, renaming buildings - by Courtney Pedersen, Central Michigan University
Finalist: Renting out backyard pools can help generate some cool cash - by Ashton Nichols, Ohio University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Professor files 18-count lawsuit against university - by Dara Collins, Jordyn Hronec, Point Park University
Finalist: Cedarville nursing grad serves at Samaritan’s Purse field hospital - by Madeleine Mosher, Cedarville University
Finalist: Black Lives Matter protestor arrested, tensions rise with police - by Nardos Haile, Point Park University
In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Pandemic heightens problems between resident advisers and University Housing - by Francesca Duong, University of Michigan
Finalist: COVID-19 emerges in fraternity and sorority life as some chapters party and recruit freshmen - by Claire Hao, John Grieve, University of Michigan
Finalist: University of Michigan students face confusion, unsanitary conditions in quarantine housing - by Emma Ruberg, Callie Teitelbaum, University of Michigan
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: One year later: Delts hazing survivor tells his story - by Tim Carlin, Miami University
Finalist: Pageantry in a new era: Redefining liberation - by Maya Fenter, Miami University
Finalist: Moonville tunnel’s complicated history attracts visitors, mediums - by Jackson Horvat, Ohio University
Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Playlists, porches and trees - by Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
Finalist: President Jones says goodbye to Cal U after 46 years - by Hannah Wyman, Kaitlyn Collins, California University of Pennsylvania
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: When it ends like this, crying is allowed in baseball - by Chris Vinel, Miami University
Finalist: Lauren Dickerson cements her status as a Miami legend - by Lukas Nelson, Miami University
Finalist: Miami cheerleading is more than a team — it’s a family - by Tim Carlin, Miami University
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: CU alumni qualify for Olympic marathon trials - by Abigail Hintz, Cedarville University
Finalist: Mader arrives at Cedarville due only to prayer - by Tim Miller, Cedarville University
Finalist: Men's basketball falls to IUK in RSC quarterfinals - by Mason Strawn, Point Park University
General Column Writing
Winner: To my fellow leftists; No, my professors didn't brainwash me; Biden won, but we're far from done - by Madeline Phaby, Miami University
Finalist: Jessica Robinson humor articles - by Jessica Robinson, Miami University
Finalist: One step at a time - by Michael Reiner, Kent State University
Sports Column Writing
Winner: Michael Vestey's columns - by Michael Vestey, Miami University
Finalist: Mascot Mania - by Sarah Gibson, Point Park University
Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Central Michigan Life - by Staff, Central Michigan University
Finalist: The Michigan Daily - by Staff, University of Michigan
Finalist: The Kent Stater - by Staff, Kent State University
Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small) 1-9,999+ Students
Winner: The Globe - by Staff, Point Park University
Magazine
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: ài (爱) to love and ái (挨) to suffer - by Erin Glynn, Miami University
Finalist: Remote and removed - by Jenna Calderón, Miami University
Finalist: Communication crisis: Making the pandemic accessible for the deaf community - by Leanne Stahulak, Miami University
Best Student Magazine
Winner: UP Magazine - IGNITE - by Cora Harter, Maggie Smerdel, Cami Cicero, Miami University
Finalist: Fusion Magazine Spring 2020 - by Alexandra Sobczak, Moira Armstrong, Stephen Francis, Angela Molina, Kent State University
Finalist: Uhuru - by Staff, Kent State University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography
Winner: Protests in Detroit, Michigan following the death of George Floyd - by Dominick Sokotoff, University of Michigan
Finalist: Graduate students march in protest of campus reopening - by Madeline Hinkley, University of Michigan
General News Photography
Winner: Protester with a megaphone - by Annie Klusendorf, University of Michigan
Finalist: Joe Biden wins presidency - by Dominick Sokotoff, University of Michigan
Finalist: Black Lives Matter in Athens - by Sarah Donaldson, Ohio University
Feature Photography
Winner: Custodial staff reflect on their experience during a global pandemic - by Tess Crowley, University of Michigan
Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Miami slow to isolate sick students - by Owen Berg, Miami University
Finalist: Your Voice Ohio illustration - by Cameron Peters, Kent State University
Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cal U unveils new campus master plan - by Lily Gongaware, Sam Kuhne, California University of Pennsylvania
Editorial Cartooning
Winner: The effects of COVID on Miami University - by Alessandra Manukian, Miami University
Radio
Radio News Reporting
Winner: To reach worshipers during the coronavirus pandemic WV churches get creative - by Kayla Starcher, Reed College of Media
Radio Feature
Winner: Obinna Anochili-Killen standout athlete of the week - by Andrew Rogers, Marshall University
Finalist: Grant Wells feature - by Jayden Taylor, Marshall University
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: College Avenue shooting - by Taylor Hall, WVU Reed College of Media
Finalist: The loss of a legend - by Ian Gilmour, Joe Freihofer, Sam Britten, Michigan State University
Finalist: A legendary coach steps down - by Brandon Rothenberg, Michigan State University
Television General News Reporting
Winner: ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime event.’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Finalist: Taking another crack at fixing Michigan roads - by Sam Britten, Michigan State University
Finalist: No more screams for Dairy Store ice cream - by Mikayla Temple, Michigan State University
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: ‘Talking about yesterday or tomorrow?’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Finalist: A sound to soldier on - by Mikayla Temple, Michigan State University
Finalist: Makeup madhouse - by Gianna DaPra, Kent State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: House of Soles - by Katie Schroeder, Lea Mitchell, Michigan State University
Finalist: ‘It’s not what we expected our freshman year to be like’ - by Regan Holgate, Taylor Golden-Wise, Michigan State University
Finalist: #ENDSARS - by Shade Moore, Michigan State University
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: ‘I just don't know when.’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Finalist: What it's like to have your dream job on pause - by Brandon Rothenberg, Michigan State University
Finalist: All you need is a set of wheels ... and one of these - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Focal Point Oct. 30 - by Staff, Michigan State University
Finalist: TV2 News - March 10, 2020 - by Staff, Kent State University
Finalist: WVU News ‘Special Edition’ far apart together - by Elisa Schwartzmiller, Jensen Mills, WVU Reed College of Media
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Focal Point Special Edition Dec. 4, 2020 - by Staff, Michigan State University
Online
Online News Reporting
Winner: The Rock series - by KentWired Staff, Kent State University
Finalist: Talawanda School District faces challenges as COVID-19 alters education - by Ally Gallagher, Miami University
Finalist: Oxford Police, review commission look to break racial tension - by Zoey Becker, Tuo Meng, Chris Vinel, Miami University
Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Ohio Democrats, despite great uncertainty, have their eyes on the future - by Zach Zimmerman, Ohio University
Finalist: Kent State University's students for a democratic society, then and now - by Madison MacArthur, Kent State University
Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: NBA players want to champion racial justice. Here's how the league can help - by Justin Thompson, Ohio University
Finalist: Progressivism is a winning strategy - by Bryce Hoehn, Ohio University
Finalist: The Carroll News' Editorials - by Sophia Maltese, Josie Schuman, TJ Lindstrom, John Carroll University
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Carroll News Website - by Sophia Maltese, Josie Schuman, John Carroll University
Finalist: KentWired.com - by Staff, Kent State University
Finalist: cedars.cedarville.edu - by Staff, Cedarville University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Women Beyond Bars - by Staff, Reed College of Media
Finalist: The New Political - by Staff, Ohio University
Videography
Broadcast News Videography
Winner: They've been waiting for this day - by Ian Gilmour, Michigan State University
Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: A sound to soldier on - by Mikayla Temple, Michigan State University
Finalist: ‘Talking about yesterday or tomorrow?’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: All you need is a set of wheels... and one of these - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Finalist: High school football teams tackle COVID-19 - by Alexis Ayala, Michigan State University
Finalist: ‘I just don't know when.’ - by Joe Freihofer, Michigan State University
Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Black at Kent State - by Staff, Kent State University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Ariel Hill on the value of being uncomfortable - by Molly DeCarli, Reed College of Media
Finalist: Tanisha Spaulding on normal life - by Jeff McCullough, Reed College of Media
Video Game Reporting
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
COVID-19
COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage
Winner: Coronavirus devastates Oxford businesses, city proposes stimulus program - by Ceili Doyle, Miami University
Finalist: COVID-19 vaccine explainer - by Connor Steffen, Kent State University
Finalist: Socially distant and socially awkward: Inside the freshman dorms - by Lyndsey Carter and Abigail Kemper, Miami University
COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography
Winner: Drive-up COVID-19 testing begins - by Dominick Sokotoff, University of Michigan
COVID-19: Video Coverage
Winner: ‘We had to leave ASAP’ - by Alina Zhuravel, Michigan State University
Finalist: Churches and coronavirus: how one local church is taking precautions - by Katie Birecki, Michigan State University
Finalist: Westover residents finding peace in Amazing Grace - by Taylor Hall, WVU Reed College of Media
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