TommieMedia, which earlier this spring won five regional awards in a Society of Professional Journalists’ competition, recently received two second-place awards in the society’s national Mark of Excellence competition.
In the Best Independent Online Student Publication category, TommieMedia received a national finalist award, placing second behind Northwestern University.
In the Online News Reporting category, TommieMedia received another national finalist award, this time placing second behind the University of Illinois. TommieMedia received this award for its story, “St. Thomas Sophomore Killed in House Fire,” written by Theresa Malloy, John Kruger and staff members.
National Mark of Excellence Award judges choose one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up).
In regional competition, which attracted almost 4,000 entries from four states, TommieMedia was named the Best Independent Online Student Publication. The award went to Shane Kitzman, Katie Broadwell, Theresa Malloy and Mary Kenkel. TommieMedia won another four awards for online in-depth reporting, news reporting and sports reporting.
Founded in 1909, the Society of Professional Journalists works to promote the free flow of information, educate journalists and protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.
Dr. Kris Bunton, lead TommieMedia adviser and chair of the Communication and Journalism Department, praised the students’ work in this earlier Bulletin Today story.
