Students from the Collegian newspaper and AU-Live website won multiple awards at the Ohio News Media Association (ONMA) state convention in Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 8, including third in the state for Best Website.
In the Ohio Collegiate Division, the Collegian staff also brought home a second place for overall publication design and third places in the categories of photojournalism and sports coverage.
The Collegian special edition of the women's basketball National Championship game in 2017 garnered unique praise from the judging panel, which is comprised of newsroom professionals from across the state.
“This entry is carried by the special section on the women's basketball team winning the national title,” the judges wrote. “Photos, stories, and graphic elements all make this work. Very well done.”
The paper was also recognized for strong and consistent news design and for overall sports coverage, both of which were judged using multiple issues of the submitted publication.
“Being honored in these categories especially is a big deal,” Maggie Cogar, media adviser and professional instructor in the journalism and digital media department, said. “These categories aren't just judged on one page or one story, but on multiple issues from this school year and last. Winning in these categories shows the consistency of the student work from issue to issue and school year to school year.”
Bree Gannon, a junior digital media production major, was also recognized individually for her photographs from the National Championship game.
“Hearing I was recognized from the National Championship game was a really good feeling,” she said. “Going from a major I wasn't happy in to JDM, where I can strive to my full potential and be rewarded for it, is amazing. The JDM program has truly blessed me.”
Cogar said what is most inspiring was the attitude the students had after leaving the conference.
“I'm proud of the work all my students do on a daily basis and these awards help celebrate that work,” Cogar said. “But these awards cannot truly capture the spirit and work ethic these student journalists show each and every day. Even after leaving the conference, the students were already discussing ways to improve their media content and design. There’s this mindset with JDM students that ‘we’re good, but we can be better,’ and I love that. They are constantly pushing themselves to grow.”
At the conference, students also attended sessions and got to hear from Morley Piper, a special keynote speaker who fought in World War II and later served as the director of the New England Newspaper Association.
Journalism and digital media students in attendance at the conference included (left to right) Sam Didion (sophomore), Bree Gannon (junior), Kaitlyn Moore (junior) and Renee Borcas (senior).
Bill Conners graduated from the Ohio School of Broadcasting Master Program in 1982. He was hired at 1220 WGAR in 1981 as a part-time engineer. In 1984, Bill was promoted to producer for Paul Tapie morning show on 1220 WGAR. In 1986, he became Production Director for WGAR AM/FM. Since 2006, Bill has been the Creative Services Director for WMJI, in addition to WGAR. He's responsible for writing copy to promote station events, writing and voicing commercials and promotions via social media and new technologies.
