JMC students dominated the student media portion of ľ«¶«Ó°ŇµPress 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 “ ľ«¶«Ó°Ňµcourting 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 ľ«¶«Ó°Ňµr staff reporters won third place for “Kent 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 ľ«¶«Ó°ŇµPlain 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 ľ«¶«Ó°Ňµ employee charged with sexual battery.”
• Kaitlyn LeBeau won second place for “Preparing for President Barack Obama’s visit to Kent.”