School of Media News

Several WKU students were honored as winners and finalists in this year’s SPJ Region 5 Mark of Excellence awards.

Honorees were announced at the Society of Professional Journalists’ virtual regional conference on April 10. SPJ Region 5 includes Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. Winners in each category advance to the national SPJ competition.

Newspaper

General News Reporting (large, 10,000+ students)

• Finalist: Michael J. Collins and Laurel Deppen, “Need to know: The facts about WKU’s response to COVID-19,” The College Heights Herald

Online

Online Feature Reporting

• Finalist: Zora Gordon, Addison LeBouttier and Carlie Jefferies, “Happy at home,” Talisman

Online Sports Reporting

• Finalist: Ruby Chapdelaine and Charlie Haynes, “Boxers find community in Bowling Green,” Talisman

Best Independent Online Student Publication

• Finalist: RE(a)D, WKU
• Winner: Talisman, WKU

Art & Graphics

Sports Photography

• Winner: Matt Gadd, “Helping hand,” The College Heights Herald

Breaking-News Photography (large, 10,000+ students)

• Finalist: Zane Meyer-Thornton, “No justice no peace,” The College Heights Herald

Feature Photography

• Finalist: Allie Hendricks, “Dorm cleaning,” The College Heights Herald
• Finalist: Allie Hendricks, “Field trip,” The College Heights Herald
• Winner: Kellen Frazier, “Farming the land,” The College Heights Herald

Magazine

Nonfiction Magazine Article

• Winner: Morgan Hornsby, “Everything starts with mama,” Talisman

Best Student Magazine

• Finalist: Talisman, “Zeitgeist: The spirit of the age”

Multimedia

Best Video Game Reporting

• Winner: Dillon McCormick, “Evolving sport,” Talisman