The Spectrum student newspaper received national recognition at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention Feb. 26-March 1 in Los Angeles. The Spectrum received second place in the Best of Show four-year weekly category.
The newspaper submitted its first issue of the spring semester, which included an eight-page extra section featuring stories on NDSU's fourth consecutive NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title.
"Placing second in the nation really sums up what a great year we've had at The Spectrum. It gives our staff confidence to keep putting good work out there, because we want to keep improving," said Sam Herder, Spectrum editor-in-chief and a senior journalism major. "Our goal was to be in the top 10, and to finish in second place is really exciting."
Spectrum faculty adviser Patrick Schmiedt, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Communication, said the students earned the recognition. "Many college newspapers wouldn't be up to the challenge of turning out a special section in addition to the normal edition of the newspaper. Many professional staffs wouldn't be up to that. But the reporters, editors, photographers and designers embraced the challenge and came up with a memorable edition that, clearly, was on par with the best collegiate journalism in the country," Schmiedt said. "This award is a deserving recognition of the staff's hard work, not only for this one edition, but for the entire year."
The full list of national winners can be found at http://studentpressblogs.org/acp/national-college-journalism-convention-best-of-show-winners-announced/.
The Spectrum also had four individual winners in the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards competition. The Spectrum staff won an overall achievement award, while Herder, sports editor Colton Pool, arts and entertainment editor Jack Dura and photographer Stephen Risk won individual awards for writing and photography. Individual recipients in each category will be announced at the Midwest Journalism Conference April 10 in Bloomington, Minnesota.
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