THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

2007 BEST IN INDIANA JOURNALISM CONTEST

Sponsored by the Indiana Professional Chapter, SPJ

College Winners

Based on 2006 work

Winners were honored at the 28th Annual Awards Banquet
at the Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel on April 27, 2007

STUDENT DIVISION

Newspaper

55. BEST DEADLINE NEWS (single story)

First Place: Gavin Lesnick, Elisha Saunders and Michael Zennie
Indiana Daily Student
"IU Mourns"
Judges said: "Outstanding coverage of a breaking news story. The reports not only provided coverage of the crash, they also provided solid profiles of the students killed in the plane crash."

Second Place: Chris Speckman
The Butler Collegian
"Anti-Gay Dorm Messages Strike Ross, Resco"

Third Place: Shelly Grimes
The Reflector
"Police, Firefighters Investigate Cory Bretz Hall Fire as Arson"

56. BEST NON-DEADLINE NEWS (single story)

First Place: Mike Morris
The DePauw
"Henry to Resign; Diversity Concerns Raised"
Judges said: "Solid reporting that goes beyond the report of a minority faculty member's resignation to explore the larger issue of why DePauw has difficulty retaining minority faculty."

Second Place: Shelly Grimes
The Reflector
"Mar Elias Students Endure Conflict"

Third Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"Survey Results Analyze Political Ideologies at UIndy"

57. BEST FEATURE (single story)

First Place: Liesl Goecker
The DePauw
"Now You Know Series: Steve Albright"
Judges said: "The feature profile is alive and well! An excellent job of profiling a retiring newspaper delivery person. Well written, good use of quotes that show that everyone has a story to tell."

Second Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"Hove Remembered"

Third Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"Former American Gladiator and Fitness Guru Now a UIndy Prof"

58. BEST SPORTS STORY

First Place: Matt Clemens
The DePauw
"Dustin Hertel: Sackmaster"
Judges said: "Interesting, well-written. Holds the readers' attention to the end."

Second Place: Katy Yeiser and Ben Reed
The Reflector
"Oh, the Places They'll Go"

Third Place: Scott Osborn
The Butler Collegian
"Dawgs Show Irish, Hoosiers That They Belong"

59. BEST EDITORIAL WRITING

First Place: Eric Beadner
The Franklin
"Coridan Wins Debate, Our Vote with Big Night"
Judges said: "A well-written, thought out editorial endorsement. Writer details the reason for the endorsement by looking at all of the candidates' stands on three issues."

Second Place: Brandon Gee, Laura Kelley, Liesl Goecker, Matt Jackson, Mike Morris
and Ashley Baxstrom
The DePauw
"Canceling Mandala a Mistake"

No Third Place Award

60. BEST EDITORIAL CARTOON

First Place: Toby Zur Loye
The DePauw
"Orientation versus Hazing"
Judges said: "This cartoon makes its point with a simple change of words between the drawings. To-the-point!"

Second Place: Emily Scott
The Reflector
"Childhood Obesity"

Third Place: Emily Scott
The Reflector
"Scientolerance"

61. BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

First Place: Megan Komlanc
The Reflector
"The PRIDE Drag Show"
Judges said: "Wow! Wonderfully detailed image capturing a drag queen in action.
Sharp and vivid!"

Second Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"John Mellencamp"

Third Place: Lindsey Pauszek
The Butler Collegian
"Police Escort"

62. BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH

First Place: Alex Turco
The DePauw
"Diver"
Judges said: "Sharp focus captures the action so well that the reader can almost feel the splash!"

Second Place: Carolyn Harless
The Reflector
"Shuylere's Spike"

Third Place: Megan Komlanc
The Reflector
"Brock's Victory Shot"

63. BEST IN-DEPTH OR SERIES REPORTING

First Place: Brandon Gee
The DePauw
"Nature Park Series"
Judges said: "Well-researched, balanced coverage of a volatile campus issue. Good use of sources and quotes. A substantive job of reporting."

Second Place: Katy Yeiser and Abby Adranga
The Reflector
"Smoking Ban"

64. BEST PAGE ONE LAYOUT/DESIGN

First Place: Adam McClean, Kali Geldis, Matt Welch
The DePauw
"10/06/06, 10/27/06 and 11/10/06"
Judges said: "Clean, attractive layout that is easy on the reader's eye. Effective use of color at the top of the page."

Second Place: Chelsea Schneider
The Franklin
"Activism"

Third Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"April 5, 2006"

65. BEST LAYOUT/DESIGN OTHER THAN PAGE ONE

First Place: Emily Scott
The Reflector
"24 Hours at UIndy"
Judges said: "Clean, interesting layout makes feature attractive and easy to follow. Good type choices."

Second Place: Staff
Indiana Daily Student
"Opinion Front Page: 2/22/06, Sports Front Page: 3/6/06; Arts Front Page: 4/20/06"

Third Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"Oh, the Places They'll Go"

66. BEST INFORMATIONAL GRAPHICS

First Place: John Collins and Adrienne Dye
Indiana Daily Student
"Little 500 Race Guide"

Second Place: Emily Scott
The Reflector
"University Heights Incidents"

Third Place: Katy Yeiser
The Reflector
"Tuition Trends"
Judges said: "This shows how a creative layout can also be designed as something useful to the reader. Strong, clean design and presentation. Added extra: it can be folded and used at the race."

STUDENT DIVISION

Television

67. BEST TELEVISION NEWSCAST

First Place: WTIU News Forum Staff
WTIU
"News Forum News Program"

Second Place: Katie Stam
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"UIndy News"

Third Place: BTV News
Butler University
"March 8, 2006 Newscast"

68.BEST NEWS REPORTING

First Place: Susan Decker and Katy Smith
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"MRSA"
Judges said: "Useful, informative report that avoids over-dramatizing MRSA and how it has spread. Good use of experts."

Second Place: Mellissa Ramsey
WTIU-News
"Jail Overcrowding"

Third Place: Katy Smith and Daniel Scott
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"Hoosier Heroes"

69. BEST SPORTS REPORTING

First Place: Ryan Cost
WTIU News
"New IU Hoops Coach"
Judges said: "Solid reporting, including background of new coach's NCAA problems is evident here. Good use of sound."

Second Place: Brian Irk and Brett Moore
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"How To: Volleyball"

Third Place: Melinda Quasius
BTV News - Butler University
"Men's Soccer Game Wrap"

70. BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS, DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES PROGRAMMING

No Awards

71. BEST FEATURE

First Place: Stephanie Barnes
WTIU-News Forum
"Identity Theft"
Judges said: "Solid reporting with useful information for college students."

Second Place: Kyle Mitchell
WTIU News
"Avian Flu"

Third Place: Michael Tetrault
BTV News - Butler University
"RIS Program"

72. BEST VIDEOGRAPHY

First Place: Brett Moore
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"How To: Volleyball"
Judges said: "Good mixture of shots - from close-ups to action to slow motion."

Second Place: Joshua Wilsher
BTV News - Butler University
"RIS Program"

Third Place: Brett Moore
UIndy TV/University of Indianapolis
"Greyhound Football"

STUDENT DIVISION

Radio

73. BEST RADIO NEWSCAST

First Place: Abigail Oliver
WGRE
Newscast
Judges said: "Good selection of stories and well-presented."

Second Place: Kim O'Brien and Brian Irk
WICR -FM/University of Indianapolis
"News at Noon"

74. BEST RADIO NEWS EVENT COVERAGE

First Place: Jessie Hemmelgarn
WGRE
"Alexandra Robbins"
Judges said: "Good interview on speaking engagement before the event. Gave listeners enough to decide whether they'd want to attend."

75. BEST RADIO DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES

First Place: Kelsea Metheny, Jeff Conner, Ashley Clark and Rachelle Lejeune
WGRE
"Is DePauw Over programmed?"
Judges said: "An unusual topic handled with good research and questions. Well presented."

Second Place: Jessie Hemmelgarn
WGRE
"Tiger Fire Diversity"

Third Place: Katie Birge, Kristen Irgens, Steve Powell and Samantha Crispin
WGRE
"The Nature Park Controversy"

76. BEST RADIO FEATURE

First Place: Justin Weiner, Rhyan Smith, Samantha Diaz, and Brad Paus
WGRE
"The Greek Fact-Finding Commission"
Judges said: "Timely topic handled with exhaustive research; good interviews presenting the pros and cons of the report."

Second Place: Scott Leadingham
WIUX
"Iraq and WWII, Not So Similar"

Third Place: Adam Ragusea
WFIU-FM
"Robert Pinsky"