College Photographer of the Year, other honors go to four CM Life staffers

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Photographers from Central Michigan Life swept the Michigan Press Photographers Association’s College Photographer of the Year honors this weekend for the second year in a row.

Iron Mountain senior Libby March took the top honors on Saturday, with Grand Haven junior Jake May coming in second and Farmington Hills junior Ashley Miller taking third place. Waterford senior Sean Proctor received an honorable mention.

“I thought I had a shot at placing or maybe honorable mention, and I would’ve been so happy with that,” March said. “This is just crazy and surreal and I’m just waiting to wake up now.”

Last year, March claimed third place with two of her best friends winning the top spots, she said. March said she is inspired by the other CMU photographers she keeps company with.

“I’m really blessed to have these great friends,” March said.

She also received second place in the Portrait/Personality category for her piece “Good Friends,” and an honorable mention for her feature picture story “Orphaned in Haiti.”

May was honored with third place in the Sports Action category for his picture, “Basebrawl.” In the Sports Picture Story category he also received third place for the piece “I (heart) NASCAR.”

His Sports Portfolio took first place.

Miller received an honorable mention for her feature piece, “A Boy’s First Love.” She said she was honored and humbled by the experience of being in the top three.

“I’m just really proud of my peers, even those that didn’t win awards,” she said. “We really came to the competition this year with a presence. People know who CMU photographers are and I’m proud to be among them.”

South Lyon junior and CM Life photographer Erica Kearns received an honorable mention in the Portrait/Personality category for her photo, “Love for Dogs.”

Kent Miller, assistant professor of journalism, received an honorable mention in the Pictorial category for his photograph “Scenic Stroke.”

With another year of awards and recognition under their belts, many of the photographers look forward to competing next year.

“It’ll be my last year of eligibility,” Proctor said. “So I’m hoping to keep the CMU streak alive.”