SPJ Announces 2007 Mark of Excellence Award Winners From Okla., Texas

Market Wire, March, 2008

The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Mark of Excellence Award winners from Okla. and Texas for the 2007 calendar year. This year, collegiate journalists submitted more than 3,400 entries in 39 categories across SPJ's 12 regions.

The honorees were awarded certificates on March 29 during the SPJ Region 8 and 12 joint Spring Conference held at Loyola University in New Orleans. First place regional winners will advance to the national round of judging, which takes place next month. National winners will be announced in mid-May.

For additional information on the Mark of Excellence Awards or the Society, please contact Heather Porter at 317-927-8000 ext. 204.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

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 on SPJ, visit www.spj.org .

2007 Winners:

Breaking News Reporting

--  First Place: Claire St. Amant & Melissa Limmer, Baylor University,
    "SoulForce members arrested"
--  Second Place: Stephen Keller, University of Texas at Austin,
    "Residents solemn after student's fall"
--  Third Place: Jessica Sondergoth, University of Texas at Austin,
    "Student loan inquiry hits UT"
    

General News Reporting

--  First Place: Jessica Sondergoth, University of Texas at Austin,
    "Student financial aid scandal"
--  Second Place: Reed Baize, Alex Holloway, Marsha Hutchinson &
    Whitney White-Ashley, Tarleton State University, "Dirt Surfaces"
--  Third Place: James Brown, Texas Christian University, "Gas
    drilling tempts TCU"
    

In-Depth Reporting

--  First Place: Journalism Student Team, Tarleton State University,
    "Police records show multiple assaults"
--  Second Place: Shannon Muchmore, Oklahoma State University,
    "Regents waive bidding"
--  Third Place: Brad Briggs & Grace Maalouf, Baylor University, "BU
    had role in Dembski return"
    

Feature Writing

--  First Place: Jared Fields, Abilene Christian University, "Living
    to Run"
--  Second Place: Regis L. Roberts, San Antonio College, "Mission trip
    aids East Texans"
--  Third Place: Erica Rodriguez, Texas Sate University-San Marcos,
    "New home in a new world"
    

Sports Writing

--  First Place: Daniel Johnson-Kim, Abilene Christian University,
    "Manning Mania"
--  Second Place: Ricky Treon, University of Texas at Austin,
    "Trampled"
--  Third Place: Brian Bateman, Baylor University, "Shooting doesn't
    slow coach"
    

Editorial Writing

--  First Place: Claire St. Amant, Grace Maalouf & Brad Briggs, Baylor
    University
--  Second Place: Maira Garcia, Clara Cobb & Monty Marion, Texas State
    University-San Marcos
--  Third Place: Claire Harlin, University of Texas at Austin
    

Editorial Cartooning

--  First Place: Ben Humeniuk, Baylor University
--  Second Place: Julio Borjon, Jon Coker & Justin Gomez, San Antonio
    College
--  Third Place: John Henderson, University of Texas at Austin
    

General Column Writing

--  First Place: Aboubacar N'Diaye, University of Texas at Austin
--  Second Place: Jessa Grassi, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
--  Third Place: Emily Watson, University of Texas at Austin
    

Sports Column Writing

--  First Place: Dylan Farmer, Rice University
--  Second Place: Casey Michel, Rice University
--  Third Place: Colby White, University of Texas at Austin
    

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published at least 4 times per week)

--  First Place: Staff, University of Texas at Austin, "The Daily
    Texan"
--  Second Place: Staff, Oklahoma State University, "The Daily
    O'Collegian"
--  Third Place: Staff, Texas Christian University, "TCU Daily Skiff"
    

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published less than 4 times per week)

--  First Place: Staff, San Antonio College, "The Ranger"
--  Second Place:  Staff, Texas State University-San Marcos, "The
    University Star"
--  Third Place: Staff, Rice University, "The Rice Thresher"
    

Magazine Non-Fiction Article

--  First Place: Daniel Youngblood, Baylor University, "Returning
    Home"
--  Second Place: Cortney Strube, Texas Christian University,
    "Breaking the Chain"
--  Third Place: Tim Bella, Texas Christian University, "Staying in
    the Game"
    

Best Student Magazine

--  First Place: Staff, Texas Christian University, "Image"
--  Second Place: Staff, San Antonio College, "The Fourth Write"
--  Third Place: Staff, Lamar University, "UPbeat Magazine"
    

Breaking News Photography

--  First Place: Brian Schmidt, Abilene Christian University, "Creek
    Runneth Over"
--  Second Place: Abbie Rosen, Baylor University, "SoulForce Arrests"
--  Third Place: D.A. James, San Antonio College, "Dancers pass out
    during event"