Continuing a tradition of producing award-winning journalism, the Murray State News took home top honors for collegiate newspapers as awarded through the Kentucky Press Association’s Better Newspapers Contest.
The News brought home a 2nd place in General Excellence in the Class 1 Student Publication Division, which indicates the judges see consistent quality in reporting, photography, design and overall news value. The Class 1 Student Publication Division is for colleges with less than 10,000 enrollment. Contest entries spanned from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Dr. Stephanie Anderson, assistant professor of journalism, was the News adviser for 2021-22, and Dr. Carol Terracina-Hartman is the current adviser.
“I feel as though these awards and recognition further show the perseverance of The News through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has added a level of difficulty to our jobs along with many staff changes,”
Dionte Berry, current editor-in-chief
“I feel as though these awards and recognition further show the perseverance of The News through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has added a level of difficulty to our jobs along with many staff changes,” said Dionte Berry, current editor-in-chief. “I am thankful for the dedication of the staff as well as the support we continue to receive from the journalism and mass communications department.”
The News staff also were honored for Best Special Section (2nd) and Best Photo Essay (2nd and 3rd place).
Individual News staffers garnered an additional 12 awards in individual categories, including a sweep of Breaking News: Berry and Cady Stribling shared 1st place honors, while Gage Johnson won second, and Berry grabbed third.
The awards were presented during the KPA’s annual convention in Louisville at a banquet Jan. 21 that recognized collegiate and professional publications in Kentucky.
The following students were honored with KPA awards for their work on The Murray State News:
2nd place: General Excellence
Best Special Section
2nd: Staff, Racer Guide
Best Breaking News
1st: Cady Stribling and Dionte Berry
2nd: Gage Johnson
3rd: Dionte Berry
Best General News Story
1st: Cady Stribling
Best Feature Story
1st: Dionte Berry
Best Sports Story
2nd: Rachel Essner
Best Investigative Story
Certificate of Merit: Gage Johnson
Best Video
2nd: Joey Reynolds
Best Picture Essay
2nd: Staff
3rd: Staff
Best Front Page
1st: Gage Johnson
3rd: Dionte Berry
Best Sports Picture
1st: Simon Elfrink
2nd: Simon Elfrink
Best Graphic
2nd: Daniella Tebib
