Huskers were named finalists in 19 categories of the Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards. The finalists are:
| Category | Entrant(s) | Major | Year | Hometown | Entry |
| Arts/Fashion Journalism |
Jillian Lamkins
|
Broadcasting, Sports Media & Communication |
Junior | Apple Valley, Minnesota | A Song A Day |
| Best Affiliated Web Site |
Nebraska News Service |
Nebraska News Service | |||
| Best All-Around Television Newscast |
Nebraska Nightly |
Nebraska Nightly | |||
| Best Independent Online Student Publication |
UNLimited Sports Magazine staff, Fall 2021 |
UNLimited Sports Magazine | |||
| Best Student Magazine |
Climate Change Nebraska magazine staff |
Climate Change Nebraska Magazine | |||
| Best Use of Multimedia |
Samantha Hargens |
Journalism | Senior | Raymond, Nebraska | Wood River continues recovery from 2019 flooding |
|
Lena Nelson |
Journalism, Fisheries and Wildlife | Senior | Davey, Nebraska | ||
|
Riley Tolan-Keig |
Journalism | Senior | Papillion, Nebraska | ||
| Feature Writing |
Nick McConnell |
Broadcasting, Journalism | Junior | Lincoln, Nebraska | Being Black in Lincoln: Albert Maxey recalls his days walking the beat |
| Food/Restaurant Journalism |
Will Sleddens |
Journalism | Senior | Omaha, Nebraska | Restaurant Staffing Issues |
| General News Reporting |
Alayna Verduyn |
Broadcasting | Senior | Clive, Iowa | COVID Curtains for Musicals |
| In-Depth Reporting |
Abby Barmore |
Sports Media and Communication | Senior | Lincoln, Nebraska | If you can see it, you can be it: How volleyball in Nebraska created a cycle of greatness |
| Podcast |
Jolie Peal |
Journalism, Broadcasting | Junior | Omaha, Nebraska | State of Waste |
|
Emma Krab |
Journalism, English | Junior | Ogallala, Nebraska | ||
|
Anne Gallagher |
Broadcasting | Junior | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
|
Geoff Exstrom |
Broadcasting, Sports Media and Communication | Senior | Kearney, Nebraska | ||
| Radio Feature |
Kateri Hartman |
Advertising and Public Relations, Journalism |
Senior |
Wahoo, Nebraska |
Battle of the Joshes: How an internet meme raised over $13,000 for the Children’s Hospital and Medic |
|
Chase Porter |
Broadcasting | May 2021 graduate | Lincoln, Nebraska | ||
| Radio In-Depth Reporting |
Luke Weidner |
Advertising and Public Relations, Journalism | Senior | Norfolk, Nebraska | The Red Zone - Sexual Assault at UNL |
| Radio News Reporting |
Damon Barr |
Broadcasting | May 2021 graduate | Lincoln, Nebraska | Nebraska bill seeks to raise minimum wage to $20 |
| Sports Writing |
Grant Hansen |
Broadcasting, Sports Media and Communication | Junior | Omaha, Nebraska | Kevin Kugler is the everywhere man |
| Television Feature Reporting |
Ty Hawkins |
Broadcasting | Senior | Yankton, South Dakota | Basement Creators Network |
| Television General News Reporting |
Nathan Bacon |
Broadcasting | Senior | Lincoln, Nebraska | Crescent Moon Adapts Following Pandemic |
| Television In-Depth Reporting |
Kloee Sander |
Broadcasting | Junior | Lincoln, Nebraska | 2021 Nebraska Harvest |
| Television Sports Reporting |
Blake Aerni |
Broadcasting, Sports Media and Communication | Junior | Shawnee, Kansas | Omaha North Playoff Run |
The winners will be announced at the annual Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 conference in Wichita, Kansas, on April 9.
The Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards honors the best in student journalism. Entries are first judged at the regional level. Region 7, which covers Nebraska, also includes Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. First-place regional winners will advance to the national competition.
The contest is open to anyone enrolled in a U.S. or international college or university in 2021. Entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience.
