2023 Mark of Excellence
National Winners and Finalists
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Click on each region's number to read a press release that contains a complete list of winners from that region.
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The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the national winners of the 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcast during 2023. These awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of a national honor.
The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of a national honor. If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the 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. Schools with more than 10,000 students are designated as large schools.
National Mark of Excellence Award judges can choose up to one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up).
Winners and finalists were previously recognized by receiving first-place in one of the SPJ’s 12 regional competitions. Each first-place regional winner advanced to the national competition.
Print/Online
Breaking News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Students react with anger, activism after Palestinian student shot in Vermont
Staff, The Brown Daily Herald, Brown University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Starbucks denies ban on Pride decor reported by employees at 2 Madison stores and the national union,” by Tyler Katzenberger, UW-Madison, School of Journalism & Mass Comm.
– National Finalist: “Johnson County homes, businesses damaged after tornadoes hit Eastern Iowa,” by Sabine Martin, University of Iowa
Breaking News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Rutgers week long strike marks historic win for union workers
Julia Meriney, Ruby Voge, Jessica Romero Silver, The College VOICE, Mercer County Community College
General News Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
Tessier-Lavigne research investigation and reporting on retractions
Theo Baker, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Tobacco Regulations and Indigenous Voices in New Zealand,” by Simar Bajaj, Harvard University
– National Finalist: “Beyond the Barricades,” by Media Milwaukee Staff, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
General News Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
‘One of the worst nights of my life’
Gabi Morando, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
– National Finalist: “‘Not again’: false active shooter incident causes real trauma,” by Mackenzie Allen, St. Joseph's University
– National Finalist: “President Martin explains higher pay during year of faculty salary cuts,” by Lia Reichmann, Mackenzie Swenson and Andrew Kennard, Drake University
In-Depth Reporting, Large School Division
National Winner
The long return
Staff, Montana Native News Project/Missoulian, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “U Origins: A Clearer Picture of Philanthropy at the U and How it Has Shaped Campus,” by MJ Jewkes, University of Utah
– National Finalist: “Teacher vacancies and school leadership can go hand-in-hand,” by Madelyn Weston, University of South Carolina
In-Depth Reporting, Small School Division
National Winner
Alamance-Burlington schools grapple with financial strain after summer mold crisis
Sophie Rosenthal, Elon News Network, Elon University
– National Finalist: “The Anti-Suburbia,” by McCade Gowdy, Drake University
– National Finalist: “In Marion and Johnson counties, different approaches to the common problem of public transit,” by Isaac Gleitz, Franklin College
Feature Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Miami ... merged
Lily Wahl and Taylor Stumbaugh, The Miami Student, Miami University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Marching to the Beat: SDSU’s Marching Aztecs Redefine College Band Tradition,” by Ryan Kehl, San Diego State
– National Finalist: “‘Elevate the people on the ground’: Dining employee reflects on Vanderbilt experience,” by Brina Ratangee, Vanderbilt University
Feature Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
One and only RandyLand
Mackenzie Phillips, Off the Bluff Magazine, Duquesne University
Sports Writing, Large School Division
National Winner
Ryland Zaborowski doesn’t let autism stop him from crushing baseballs
Jack Schmelzinger, The Miami Student, Miami University
– National Finalist: “Freshmen professional amputee soccer players kick expectations to the curb,” by Reagan Netherland, University of Arkansas
– National Finalist: “50 years later, the 1973 Guilford men’s basketball team reminisces on their NAIA title,” by Kaitlyn Schmidt, UNC
Sports Writing, Small School Division
National Winner
“When I play soccer, I feel 100% completely Talia”
Caleb Denorme, The Butler Collegian, Butler University
– National Finalist: “Black student-athlete group to ‘bridge the gap,’ empower Emory athletes,” by Claire Fenton, Emory University
– National Finalist: “Is The Tenney Stadium Turf Responsible for ACL Injury Concerns?” by Max Zart, Marist College
Editorial/Opinion Writing
National Winner
Editorial board, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Alligator Editorial Board, University of Florida
– National Finalist: Staff, Texas State University
General Column Writing
National Winner
Chance Phillips, The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Madeline Van Wagenen, University of Utah
– National Finalist: Ethan Wallace, University of Kentucky
Sports Column Writing
National Winner
Nicholas Stoll, Paul Nasr and Connor Earegood, The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Ethan Segall, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: Amani Rivers, Loyola Marymount University
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper, Large School Division
National Winner
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University
– National Finalist: The Daily Cardinal, University of Wisconsin-Madison
– National Finalist: The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper, Small School Division
National Winner
The Pendulum, Elon University
– National Finalist: The Maroon, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: The Ithacan, Ithaca College
Best Single-Issue Student Magazine
National Winner
Scienceline KIDS, Scienceline, New York University
Best Ongoing Student Magazine
National Winner
El Espejo magazine, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
– National Finalist: F Newsmagazine, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
– National Finalist: Moody Magazine, Syracuse University
Best Affiliated Website
National Winner
The Post, Ohio University
– National Finalist: VoxMagazine.com, University of Missouri
– National Finalist: The Appalachian, Appalachian State University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
National Winner
Infodemic, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: Native News Honors Project, University of Montana
– National Finalist: Viking Fusion, Berry College
Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Breaking News Photography
National Winner
Bill banning gender-affirming care for Utah minors passes
Xiangyao “Axe” Tang, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
– National Finalist: “Stranded in Senegal,” by Mark Banchereau, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: “Kid LAROl greets fans,” by Jack Weaver, University of Kentucky
General News Photography
National Winner
Community remembers Arlington police officer’s life, impact
Christine Vo, The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Harvard Art Museums ‘Die-In’,” by J. Sellers Hill, Harvard College
– National Finalist: “Eating Disorder Clinic,” by Grace Smith, University of Iowa
Feature Photography
National Winner
The most eloquent prayer
Ava Rosvold, Byline Magazine, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Powwow uplifts Native American culture,” by Ronaldo Bolaños, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Black History Month Concert,” by Katherine Martin, Elon University
Photo Essay/Slideshow
National Winner
Always dancing
Clare Grant, Elon News Network, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Southside footsteps,” by Xinning Li, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Canyoneering Class Highlight,” by Sophie Felici, University of Utah
Illustration
National Winner
Navigating student finances
Star Neil, The Signpost, Weber State University
– National Finalist: “Asian cinema,” by Claudia Humphrey, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Artists vs. AI,” by Amy Scott, University of Iowa
Photo Illustration
National Winner
Warning signs of abusive relationships & where to go for help
Fern Barber, Beaver’s Digest, Oregon State University
– National Finalist: “Beauty industry,” by Kelsey Wells, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “No Adderall, No Answers,” by Erika Fredericks, University of Arkansas
Sports Photography
National Winner
Roundup bull rider
Ava Rosvold, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, University of Montana
– National Finalist: “Cup Consulation,” by Rafaela Pontes, Penn State
Editorial Cartooning
National Winner
Editorial cartoons
Teddie Bernard, F Newsmagazine, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
View online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: TJ Favela, Tarrant County College
Best Use of Multimedia
National Winner
Down to ride
Thomas Denome, Elon News Network, Elon University
– National Finalist: “Queens Street Name Stories,” by NYCity News Service Staff, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
– National Finalist: “‘Big, blank walls’: Oxford’s hidden vibrance,” by Ryann Beaschler, Miami University
News Videography
National Winner
Crowded waters: Invasive European frog-bit threatens Green Bay wildlife
Seeger Gray, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Northwestern University
– National Finalist: “Coney Island Residents Oppose Casion,” by Rhiannon Rashidi, The City College of New York
– National Finalist: “Students Protest University of Iowa Matt Walsh Visit,” by Matt Sindt and Cody Blissett, University of Iowa
Feature Videography
National Winner
Focus on the Everglades: Behind the scenes
Finn Wilson, UMTV, University of Miami
– National Finalist: “The Chicago Minute: The Team Putting Chicago’s Messages up in Lights,” by Anna Retzlaff, Emily Soto and Kiernan Sullivan, DePaul University
Sports Videography
National Winner
Kayaking instructor spreads love of NYC waterways
Naoufal Enhari, NYCity News Service, City University of New York
– National Finalist: “Slept on Eastside,” by Trey Johnson, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “UCLA vs. Colorado Football Recap,” by Nisshea Sivakumaran and Caitlin Ree, UCLA
Data Visualization
National Winner
Working it out: Which gym has less traffic?
Junwon Choi and Jessica Nguyen, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
– National Finalist: “Possession laws in Oregon,” by Alan Nguyen, Oregon State University
– National Finalist: “Maryland Women’s Basketball regular season attendance skyrockets but inequality still prevalent,” by Victoria A. Ifatusin and Cameron Jones, University of Maryland - College Park
Audio
Radio News Reporting
National Winner
‘Let’s not lose our humanity at this time’
Anna Colletto, KBIA, University of Missouri School of Journalism
– National Finalist: “Champaign Police investigate ‘agency culture’ of not following domestic violence reporting laws,” by Farrah Anderson, Christine Herman and Diane Leane, WILL/Illinois Public Media
– National Finalist: “How Tenants Could Change the Future of NYCHA,” by Kimberly Izar, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Radio Feature
National Winner
Texas archeologists team up with Indigenous communities in Paint Rock excavation
Sheridan Wood, KACU, Abilene Christian University
– National Finalist: “Outrigger Community,” by Kiersten Edgett, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communications
– National Finalist: “The Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count is part recreation, part science,” by Brianna Atkinson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Radio In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Transgender Floridians weather the political storm around their rights
Siena Duncan, WUFT News, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “In the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment,” by Grace Springer and Sophia Lucente, Kent State University
– National Finalist: “How museums can misrepresent people and cultures,” by Charles Sirey, Syracuse University
Radio Sports Reporting
National Winner
Playing for something bigger
Jordan Leonard, WAER, Syracuse University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
National Winner
Carolina Connection
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: “The Point Newscast, University of Florida
Podcast (Narrative)
National Winner
Breaking the Bank: Unpacking Gen Z’s financial insecurity
Grace Pagel, Media Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
– National Finalist: “The Subgenropedia,” by Alex Neill, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– National Finalist: “Elon professor and Iraqi native wants to return home,” by Margaret Faust, Elon University
Podcast (Conversational)
National Winner
‘We're human beings’: Homeless Chapel Hill residents ask for kindness, respect
William Christensen, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting
National Winner
Tustin hangar fire
Alexandra Coenjaerts, Tess Martinelli, Sophy Acosta and Gavin Nguyen, Chapman News, Chapman University
– National Finalist: “Campus Carry Bill Just Passed,” by Aaron Dickens, WVU Reed College of Media
Television General News Reporting
National Winner
Purple for Mackinzie
Ophelie Jacobson, WUFT News, University of Florida
– National Finalist: “Cutting the Cost of Diabetes Drugs,” by Lara Bonatesta, WVU Reed College of Media
– National Finalist: “Israelis Protest Judicial Reforms, Palestinians Weigh Their Stake,” by Diego Ramos Bechara, Northwestern University
Television Feature Reporting
National Winner
A woman’s journey from addict to caregiver
Bella Zafer and Cassis Tingley, DU Media, University of Denver
– National Finalist: “Miraculous Marathon Meg,” by John Perik, Syracuse University
– National Finalist: “Parents Keep Child's Memory Alive Ten Years After School Tornado,” by Sydney Price, university of oklahoma
Television In-Depth Reporting
National Winner
Food insecurity
Metia Carroll, Haylee Kennedy, Erin Rogers and Ella Wales, LSU Tiger TV, Louisiana State University
Watch online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “DC Crime Solutions,” by Tolulope Ajayi, University of Maryland - College Park
– National Finalist: “How Oil Drilling Has Affected the Florida Everglades,” by Embrik Eyles and Finn Wilson, University of Miami
Television Sports Reporting
National Winner
The Anthony Robles story
Noelle Blumel, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
– National Finalist: “UF Turf Team,” by Chris Will, University of Florida
Best All-Around Television Newscast
National Winner
UATV News
University of Arkansas
– National Finalist: NewsVision, University of Miami
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
National Winner
Carolina Week
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
– National Finalist: “Hell in the Heartland: 10 Years,” University of oklahoma
– National Finalist: “Cache Rendezvous,” Utah State University
All Platforms
Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
National Winner
Behind the curtains: Theatre production sparks outrage and community disapproval
Kloe Witt, The Maroon, Loyola University New Orleans
– National Finalist: “Fashion Goals,” by Bo Rubenstein, Southern Methodist University
– National Finalist: “The cultural reset of the cowboy boot and other fashion trends,” by Gwen Soriano, Cal Poly Pomona
Campus Reporting
National Winner
Sean Scott, The Miami Student, Miami University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Jacob Wheeler and Michael Melinger, University of Southern California
– National Finalist: Samantha Greyson, University of Texas at Austin
Collaborative Journalism
National Winner
America after Roe
Staff, Carnegie-Knight News21, Arizona State University and other schools
– National Finalist: “How a toxic chemical forced the evacuation of hundreds in Milwaukee County,” by Yash Roy and Sophia Vento, University of Wisconsin-Madison
– National Finalist: “The price of plenty,” by Alan Halaly, Serra Sowers, Josie Heimsoth and Joy Mazur, University of Florida and University of Missouri
Cultural Criticism
National Winner
Wahidi's what's happening
Safa Wahidi, The Emory Wheel, Emory University
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Lily Wahl, Miami University
– National Finalist: Gray Greenwell, University of Kentucky
Food/Restaurant Journalism
National Winner
Momos as a form of resistance
Sajina Shrestha, AudioFiles, City University of New York
– National Finalist: “Sioux Chef,” by Alex Sapp, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Investigative Reporting
National Winner
Dead Wrong
Staff, NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Read/Watch online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3 • Link 4
– National Finalist: “Investigation into potential research misconduct under University president,” by Theo Baker, Stanford University
Regional Political Reporting
National Winner
Drew Shaw, The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: Liam Halawith, University of Iowa
– National Finalist: Bee Pilarz, Butler University
Retail/Small Business Journalism
National Winner
South Bronx businesses battle back
Staff, NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Read online: Link 1 • Link 2 • Link 3
– National Finalist: “Egg prices doubled,” by Jonathan Perriello, University of Texas at Arlington
– National Finalist: “Local Artisan Gift Shop Brings Mexico to Chicago,” by Raena Bents, DePaul University
Science/Environment/Climate Reporting
National Winner
Assets to axes: How Harvard’s land investments inspired fear in Brazil’s Cerrado
Sazi T. Bongwe and Jade Lozada, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
– National Finalist: “Montana Youth Climate Trial,” by Kate Selig, Stanford University
– National Finalist: “Guardians of Ninnahstako,” by Chloe Olsgaard and Andy Mepham, University of Montana