Drake University students are gaining widespread recognition for outstanding journalism with six Region 7 Mark of Excellence awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
The society accepted entries in 39 categories from across 12 regions for work in the 2009 calendar year.
“To have six finalists is a testament to the quality of the work our students are doing,” said Lori Blachford, the Peggy Fisher and Larry Stelter Chair in Magazine Journalism and faculty adviser for Drake Magazine. “I’m especially proud that Drake students are excelling in both print and online formats. That kind of versatility is essential in the ever-changing media environment.”
The Drake finalists, nominated in the Four-Year College/University division, are:
- Best Affiliated Web Site: THiNK Magazine, www.ThinkDSM.com
- Best Affiliated Web Site: Drake Magazine, www.DrakeMagazine.com
- Best Student Magazine: Drake Magazine, spring 2009; editor Tara Richards, of Indianola, Iowa, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in magazines in December 2009
- Best Student Magazine: 515 Magazine, fall 2009; editor Max Plenke, a senior magazines major of Minneapolis
- Non-Fiction Magazine Article: Kayla Craig, of Waterloo, Iowa, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in magazines in May 2009; THiNK Magazine, “Starving for Solutions”
- Photo Illustration: Darin Friedrichs, a junior economics and international business major of Le Mars, Iowa; Drake Magazine, “Morning After Survival Guide”
SPJ will announce first, second and third place awards at the regional conference in Omaha, Neb., on April 10. First place winners will advance to the 2010 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference this fall.
THiNK and 515, produced entirely by students in Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, are annual senior capstone projects for magazine and news-Internet majors. Drake Magazine is a biannual magazine produced entirely by students. THiNK and 515 receive financial support from Meredith Corp. and Meredith family of Des Moines.