The awards presentation, streamed online for the first time from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., Oct. 29, recognized students mostly from Baptist-affiliated schools after more than 500 of their entries were judged by nearly 20 professional journalists.
Before the presentation, students and faculty members from more than a dozen schools interacted with two featured speakers by submitting questions via Twitter.
Jennifer Rash, managing editor of The Alabama Baptist, told students that Christian journalists should excel at their work and give non-believers reason to consider the Gospel, and Gary Fong, founder of the Genesis Photo Agency, encouraged students to be prayerful in all things, because "sometimes God will have things happen before you."
In years past, Baptist Press has hosted the conference in Nashville, Tenn. In a different format this year, Union hosted the conference in its television studio and broadcast the speakers and the awards presentation online.
"Students could log on for a few hours to listen to a few top-notch professionals speak about journalism, hear and see questions by other students and faculty members, and finally, listen to and watch a presentation of nearly 100 awards of excellence," Joni Hannigan, managing editor of the Florida Baptist Witness newspaper and coordinator of the awards competition, said.
Students vied for awards in seven categories encompassing newspapers, yearbooks, photojournalism and broadcasting.
"As with each year, in this ninth year of competition, I am very thankful for the outstanding judges who give of their time to evaluate our student entries," Hannigan said. "I have seen vast improvements I know are directly linked to the valuable feedback given our entrants."
Hannah Beers, a student at Taylor University in Indiana, received the president's award this year, an honor reserved for a student who has shown sustained excellence in scholastic journalism.
Unlike the individual entries that comprise the rest of the awards competition, the president's award is based on a portfolio of work as well as academic performance, leadership and service in a school's journalism program.
The award is presented by Morris H. Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, and his selection follows a screening by a panel of five judges.
"There were several strong candidates this year, but Hannah's entry was conspicuously special," Will Hall, executive editor of Baptist Press, said. "The scope and depth of her work was impressive, her technical execution was superb and her writing was compelling. On top of that, her essay was one of the best I have read in the nine years that we have given this award."
The two-page, single-spaced essay asks the candidate to share about career goals, why he or she should receive the award and how faith plays a role in the candidate's journalism pursuits.
In her essay, Beers noted that journalism, like most professions, is flawed because it suffers from a lack of Christian influence. She referred to the Apostle Paul's confession in 1 Corinthians 2 that his message and preaching "were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
"These words, I believe, are the answers to journalism's problems," Beers wrote. "Indeed, these words are the answers to humanity's problems. As Christians and as writers, it is our responsibility to recognize the glorious gift we've been given through Christ.
"Like a great journalist uncovers corruption and indicates a need for change, a Christian thinks, speaks, writes, and lives as someone sent into the world to advocate truth," she wrote.
Upon receiving the award, Beers said the entry process was "a huge affirmation for me as I decide what it is I want to do" after graduation. She thanked one of her professors, Donna Downs, for encouraging her to seek the president's award, as well as her newspaper staff, friends and faculty who have been "a huge part of me growing as a writer."
Winners in the awards competition, by category, follow.
INDIVIDUAL YEARBOOK
-- Graphics/Infographics
1st place, Rachel Moorman, Baylor, Moonlight Reel
-- Art Illustration
1st place, Kelsey Shields, Corban College, Student Life Division
-- Best Overall Coverage
1st place, Kenton Jacobsen, California Baptist University, Danny Francis
2nd place, Taylor, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Homecoming
3rd place, Andrew Hochradel/Candice Ybarra, Drawn to Art
-- Club/Portrait/Academic Copy
1st place, Hannah Crites, Central Baptist College, Mission Department
2nd place, Hannah Crites, Central Baptist College, Carillon
3rd place, Jenna DeWitt/Shanna Taylor, Baylor University, Graduate School
-- Portrait Spread Design
1st place, Andrew Hochradel, California Baptist University, International
Vagabond
2nd place, Aaron Kim, California Baptist University, Midnight Madness
3rd place, Andrew Hochradel, California Baptist University, Music page
-- Sports Copy
1st place, Tanner Froese, Corban College, Cross Country
2nd place, Jacob Breems, California Baptist University, Golf
3rd place, Rachel Waymire, Central Baptist College, Intramurals
-- Sports/Club Design
1st place, Andrew Hochradel, California Baptist University, Swim & Dive
2nd place, Tanner Froese, Corban College, Golf
3rd place, Rachel Moorman, Baylor University, Team Traditions
-- Student Life Copy
1st place, Rachel Waymire, Central Baptist College, Talent show
2nd place, Tanner Froese, Corban College, Men's dorms
3rd place, Taylor Davis/Janie Wayland, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Loving the Lost
PHOTOJOURNALISM
Black & white
-- News photo
1st place, Kristin McMurray, Union University, Union crowned NAIA champions
2nd place, Kate Schell, Corban College, Poetry is their thing
-- Feature Photo
1st place, Chris Mabes, Liberty University, Liberty, etc.
-- Individual Sports Action
1st place, Christina Kruse, Baylor University, Midair Catch
2nd place, Michael Ring, California Baptist University, Basketball UCLS
-- Portrait/Personality
1st place, Kristi McMurry, Union University, 3-D art transforms Union Campus
-- Pictorial Photo
1st place, Jonathan Amadio, Houston Baptist University, Jeremiah Joseph sings
-- Feature Picture Story
1st place, Angela Abbbamonte, Union University, May Day
Color
-- News Photo
1st place, Alex Towers, Liberty University, History starts now
2nd place, Katelyn Dean, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, President George W.
3rd place, Evan Duncan, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Left: Conservative Texans
-- Feature Photo
1st place, Kristi McMurry, Union University, Fashion blooms this spring
2nd place, Alex Song, Baylor University, Sweet silhouette
3rd place, Beth Spain, Union University, Baseball wins Transouth title
-- Individual Sports Action
1st place, Alex Towers, Liberty University, Split Decision
2nd place, Alex Towers, Liberty University, Flames Conquer Crusaders
3rd place, Jonathan Amadio, Houston Baptist University, Jeffers tees off
-- Portrait/Personality
1st place, Kelsey Heng, Biola University, The Significance of solitude: Stress
2nd place, Lindsey Minerva, Biola University, Contract
3rd place, Sarah Sunderman, Biola University, Boy meets wild
-- Pictorial Photo
1st place, Christina Shantz, Biola University, More than dreams
2nd place, Christina Kruse, Baylor University, Stained-glass Jesus
3rd place, Sarah Sunderman, Biola University, Boy meets wild
-- Feature Picture Story
1st place, Shanna Taylor/David Poe, Baylor University, Heart of Texas Fair
2nd place, Kristi McMurry/Beth Spain, Union University, Rain welcomes freshmen
-- News Picture Story
1st place, Jordan Wilson, Baylor University, Obama inauguration
NEWSPAPER DIVISION
-- Cartoon/Art/Infographics
1st place, Alex Towers, Liberty University, Together, yes, we can
2nd place, Claire Taylor, Baylor University, Internet is coming
3rd place, Claire Taylor, Baylor University, Political babes
-- Center Spread Design
1st place, Kristen Crawley, Houston Baptist University, Dearest Catherine
2nd place, Katie McIntosh, Biola University, Lens
3rd place, Rachel Brown, Corban College, Bound up in words
-- Front Page Design
1st place, Alex Towers, Liberty University, Growing Forward: Special edition
2nd place, Joseph Huntley, North Greenville University, Tigerville James
3rd place, Ashley Marchand, Houston Baptist University, Volume 43: Issue 2
-- Feature Story
1st place, Michelle Rindels, Biola University, Changing evangelicalism
1st place, Kennan Neuman, University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Making America Home
2nd place, Randy Kizer, Taylor University, Shooter to salvation
2nd place, Noelle Marchand, Houston Baptist University, Sleep deprived
3rd place, Crystal Donahue, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Student entrepreneurs
3rd place, Kyle Gilbertson/ Michelle Rindele, Biola University, Blessed assurance
-- In-depth/Series Writing
1st place, Keenan Noonan/Crystal Donahue/Stacy Fannin, University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Battle for the Border
2nd place, Desiree Grimes, Houston Baptist University, Religious diversity on campus
3rd place, Lariat Staff, Baylor University, Obama inauguration
-- News Story
1st place, Andrew Neel/Hannah Beers, Taylor University, Closing chapters: Opening doors
1st place, Liz Forman/Ashley Killough, Baylor University, $300 SAT incentive
2nd place, Kathryn Watson, Biola University, Alumni giving growing, still low
2nd place, Evelyn Ticona, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Fertility clinic ads
3rd place, Ashley Killough, Baylor University, Baylor admits 'goof'
3rd place, Kristina Webb, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Website reports 225 sexual offenders
-- Regular Column
1st place, Ashley Killough, Baylor University, Grammar, like, so hard
1st place, Sherry Hammack, Corban College, My greatest shortcoming
2nd place, Amanda Johnson, Campbell University, My take on election '08
2nd place, Sommer Ingram, Baylor University, SAT and minorities
3rd place, Michelle Rindels, Biola University, Untimely end for Spanish
3rd place, Drew Menard, Liberty University, A Trojan horse of a different color
-- Sports Writing
1st place, Carrie Bragg, Taylor University, Bedon siblings
2nd place, Alex Brown, Union University, Union explores move to NCCAA
3rd place, Matthew Miahl, Campbell University, Tennis teams showcase
OVERALL NEWSPAPER DIVISION I
1st place, Houston Baptist University, The Collegian
2nd place, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, The Bells
3rd place tie, Oklahoma Baptist University, The Bison
3rd place tie, Union University, Cardinal & Cream
OVERALL NEWSPAPER DIVISION II
1st place, Baylor University, Baylor Lariat
2nd place, Liberty University, The Liberty Champion
3rd place tie, Biola University, The Chimes
3rd place tie, California Baptist University, The Banner
OVERALL YEARBOOK
1st place, Biola University
2nd place, California Baptist University
3rd place, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
OVERALL BROADCAST
1st place, North Greenville University, Vision 48 News, CTTV-19, Patriot Talk
OVERALL WORLDWIDE WEB
1st place, Biola University, The Chimes online
2nd place, Houston Baptist University, The Collegian Online
3rd place, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, The Bells online
Erin Roach is a staff writer for Baptist Press. With reporting by Kim Allen, coordinator of the Baptist Press Collegiate Journalism Conference.
Copyright (c) 2009 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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