The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications celebrates the outstanding achievements of its students in the Hearst Journalism Awards across various categories.
In the Hearst TV Features Competition held on Dec. 19, 2023, Rebecca (Heckel) McGann, a 2023 journalism graduate from New Bern, North Carolina, secured an impressive 13th place. This year's competition drew entries from 54 universities nationwide, with 20 finalists selected from 97 submissions.
McGann was recognized for two stories aired on KLKN in Lincoln. "Lincoln company to send world's first mini surgical robot to space" aired on May 15, 2023 and "Tyson's Treasure Chest hosts first 'Deuces Cancer' bowling fundraiser in Lincoln" aired on Feb. 18, 2023.
Two Huskers were among the top 20 finalists in the Hearst Feature Writing Competition. Naomi Delkamiller, a junior advertising and journalism double major from Omaha, placed 12th with "The secret behind Memorial Stadium's recent drone shows lives in Norfolk," published on the Nebraska News Service on Oct. 2, 2023. Ellie Kuckelman, a 2023 journalism graduate, placed 17th with "A Sudanese mother living in Lincoln struggles to bring her family home," published in the Lincoln Journal Star on June 10, 2023.
In the Hearst Journalism Awards Multimedia Narrative Storytelling Competition on Dec. 20, 2023, Delkamiller earned 12th place with "Restrictions at Catholic hospitals reduce abortion access, even in blue states," and Anne Gallagher, a 2023 broadcasting graduate from Bellevue, secured 17th place with "How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S." Delkamiller's piece was published as part of the 2023 Carnegie-Knight News21 program on Aug. 12, 2023 and Gallagher's piece was published on the Nebraska News Service on May 13, 2023.
"These students' dedication to journalism and their outstanding achievements in the Hearst awards reflect our high standard of journalistic excellence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln," Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, said. "We take pride in their success and are committed to further nurturing and celebrating journalistic talent at the college."
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, founded in 1960, continues to support, encourage, and recognize journalism students across the United States. With competitions in writing, photojournalism, and broadcasting considered among the most prestigious in the country, the program awards over $700,000 in scholarships and grants annually. To learn more about the Hearst Journalism Awards, visit http://www.hearstawards.org/.
