Central Michigan Life receives 24 individual awards from Michigan Press Association

Central Michigan Life has been named the best collegiate newspaper among the major schools in Michigan for 2011.

The General Excellence designation by the Michigan Collegiate Press Association was awarded the second consecutive year to CM Life, which gives the newspaper its third general excellence award in five years and eighth since 2001.

“Content and consistency remain the keys to successful collegiate journalism and CM Life is maintaining a culture of excellence,” said Neil Hopp, director of Student Media and the newspaper’s adviser.

Professionals from out-of-state newspapers judge the annual competition.

“This newspaper provides thorough and interesting coverage of Central Michigan University and the community,” said one judge. “I was impressed by its enterprise reporting. The design is clean and professional with strong photos played well. Strong emphasis on sports. Features were very creative. The editorials were thoughtful. Excellent content all-around.”

Along with the general excellence award, CM Life won 23 other individual awards, including Best Online Newspaper.

In 2010, CM Life won two first place awards, and in 2011, 11 first place awards were given to CM Life in categories including feature story writing, page design and photography. Staff photographers nearly swept the category, winning six of the nine awards possible.

“I think these wins show how well-rounded our photo program is at CMU and how tenacious our photo staff is. They put in a lot of time and hard work and there’s been a lot of growth throughout the year. To see them win makes me proud,” said former Photo Editor Jake May. “We were able to shoot photos that showed more personality, humanity, and depth and access rather than showed a face-view that everybody sees. We were able to go a step further with our photography and that’s why we were recognized.”

Other big competitors include Michigan State University, which won 16 total awards, and the University of Michigan which won 11.

In addition to the individual awards, CM Life won the General Excellence designation by the Michigan Collegiate Press Association. This is the second consecutive time the paper has earned this honor, and the eighth time since 2001.

“I think it’s a good testament to the staff as a whole and the ongoing effort and teamwork that they had throughout the academic year,” former Editor-in-Chief Jackie Smith said.

CM Life’s editorial awards included: First place feature story by Randi Shaffer, third place sports feature story by Kristopher Lodes and Brandon Champion, third place multimedia reporting by the staff on the medical school, third place column by Ryan Taljonick on the costs of Bin Laden’s death, and second place editorial and third place editorial.

Photo awards included: First place news photo by Sara Winkler, second place news photo by Jeff Smith, first place feature photo by Libby March, second place feature photo by Paige Calamari, first place sports photo by Victoria Ziegler, second place sports photo by Sean Proctor.

Design awards included: First place news page design by Chelsea Kleven, second place sports page design by Aaron McMann and third place feature page design by Chelsea Kleven.

The advertising department awards included first and third place black and white advertisement, first, second and third place full color advertisement, first and third place promotional advertisement, first place special section.