Current and former students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications earned 11 awards in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards Competition on April 23.
The Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards honors the best in student journalism. Categories are first judged at the regional level. Region 7 includes colleges and universities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. First-place regional winners advance to the national competition. The national winners will be showcased on spj.org, and a Best in Show award will be given for the overall best entry among all national winners.
Huskers won in three categories. The winners are listed alphabetically by hometown and include the winner's year, major, entry category and entry title.
Nebraska
- Bellevue: Anne Gallagher, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, Television In-Depth Reporting category, How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S.
Elsewhere
- Overland Park, Kansas: Brian Beach, 2023 graduate, journalism, General News Reporting (Large) category, ‘Capitalism with a heart': How Ho-Chunk Inc. strengthens tribal community in Winnebago
- Lebanon, Tennessee: Alex Neill, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Podcast (Narrative) category, The Subgenropedia
"I am so honored to place first in the podcast category! As a graduating senior, The Subgenropedia was a passion project I started my sophomore year and have seen it grow to heights that I could not even imagine,” said Neill. “I am so thankful for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNL and professors like Richard Alloway and Kaci Ritcher who push students to have the best of the best content in Nebraska.”
Huskers were finalists in seven categories. The finalists are listed alphabetically by hometown and include the winner's year, major, entry category and entry title.
Nebraska
- Bellevue: Nathan Hawkins, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Television General News Reporting category, Civil engineers work to combat O street's accidents
- Elm Creek: Hallie Gutzwiller, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, Radio Feature category, Autumn birding in Nebraska: An experience for all
- Lincoln: Kloee Sander, 2023 graduate, broadcasting, In-Depth Reporting (Large) category, Sticker shock': Greek house values skyrocket after review. The tax bills come next.; Jackson Reddick, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Radio Feature category, A BUZZworthy collaboration: UNL Bee Club and Reactor Coffee create a fun drink
- Nebraska City: Macy Neumeister, 2023 graduate, broadcasting and journalism, Best All-Around Television Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Omaha: Naomi Delkamiller, senior, advertising and public relations and journalism, Television In-Depth Reporting category, Restrictions at Catholic hospitals reduce abortion access, even in blue states; Lucas Sinnett, senior, broadcasting and sports media and communication, Best All-Around Television Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
Elsewhere
- Des Moines, Iowa: Marissa Lindemann, senior, broadcasting and journalism, Best Use of Multimedia category, Disking the river: How Platte River Management makes crane migration possible
- Overland Park, Kansas: Ellie Kuckelman, 2023 graduate, journalism, Photo Essay/Slideshow category, A neighborhood of diversity, strength and community
- El Paso, Texas: Jay Quemado, senior, broadcasting and journalism, Best All-Around Television Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
- Rice Lake, Wisconsin: Alaina Tomesh, senior, broadcasting, Best All-Around Television Newscast category, Nebraska Nightly
"Congratulations to our Mark of Excellence award winners. These awards not only celebrate excellence in student journalism but also reflect the dedication, talent and hard work of our Huskers,” said Shari Veil, Jane T. Olson Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “We're immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their continued success as they advance to the national competition.”
To learn more about the SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards, visit https://www.spj.org/a-moe.asp.
