JMC students dominated the student media portion of The Press Club of Cleveland’s Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards, winning seven awards in print and TV news.In the Best Print News Story category:
• Doug Brown, Frank Yonkof and Rachel Kilroy placed first for “The courting of Cope: Behind the scenes of a $1 million withdrawal.” Judges wrote about the piece. “Just outstanding. This entry could have been a contender in the professional competition. This is what journalists do, dig, dig, dig until they get the information that others don’t want to give them.”
• Doug Brown and Rex Santus won second place for “Board highlights praise, hides criticism in Lefton evaluation.” Judges wrote: “Again, excellent reporting that raises good questions about the president’s rubber-stamped raises.”
• Daily ֱ Stater staff reporters won third place for “ֱ welcomes first president in 100 years.” Judges wrote: “Well-written account of a breaking news event.”
In the Best Print Sports Story category, Doug Brown won first place for “90Ksu reached with help of department money.” Judges wrote: “Outstanding effort … easy winner in this category … excellent watchdog reporting on how the athletic department is spending taxpayer dollars. Graphics and other related materials bolstered a strong report. Worthy of publishing in The Plain Dealer or Beacon Journal.”
In the Best Print Feature Story category, Leighann McGivern won second place for “KSU professor searches for his mother, a Holocaust survivor.” A judge wrote: “Other college students should study this story for a lesson in how to write an engaging feature. Interesting from start to finish. I feel I know the professor a little by the time I get to the end.”
In the Best TV News Story category, the TV2 staff also captured the first and second place berths:
• Brian Presley won first place for the TV2 news exclusive, “Former ֱ State employee charged with sexual battery.”
• Kaitlyn LeBeau won second place for “Preparing for President Barack Obama’s visit to ֱ.”