2008 Woodie Awards
CM Life named region's best non-daily
By: James Fernandes
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: News
Central Michigan Life is the best non-daily student newspaper in its region, according to the Society of Professional Journalists.
SPJ awarded CMU's independent student newspaper with 12 awards Saturday, including Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper in region 4, which is made up of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.
"It certainly places CM Life among the best collegiate newspapers in the country," said former Editor-in-Chief and CMU alumnus Mark W. Smith, who led the paper during the 2006-07 year. "It's certainly great credit to the great staff we have. I was especially impressed by the awards we won for editorials."
CM Life Senior Photographer Alex Stawinski received Best Feature Writing for "The Power of Touch," a story about Jacob Hartshorne, a deaf and blind child with CHARGE Syndrome.
"I've really grown last year, and I felt now I could really take control of the story," the Rochester senior said. "The story was a powerful one. It was a privilege to tell that story to the community."
Because of the first place honors, Stawinski's feature story and the newspaper will compete a the SPJ national convention in September in Atlanta.
CM Life won six second-place awards, including one for editorials; Saginaw junior Brian Manzullo for sports column writing, Clarkston senior John Ehlke for sports photo, Dexter junior Dan Monson for sports writing, Muskegon senior Lucas Merrill for feature photography and Rives Junction senior Krista Mayo for breaking news photo.
CM Life also won three third-place awards, including Commerce Township senior Patrick Siller for general news photo, Mayo for breaking news photo, and Jackson senior Evan T. Shaner for cartooning.
"(The awards) show that CM Life is not just another newspaper, it's the best in its region," said Meredith Mayberry, Goodrich sophomore and vice president of CMU's SPJ chapter. "We have high standards, so apparently we rank well among other papers in the country."
Mayo, assistant photo editor for CM Life, was the only person to walk away with two awards.
"Receiving the awards for SPJ is a bittersweet way to mark the end of my college career," said Mayo, whose breaking news photos of a crime scene and a car crash earned her the awards. "These are real-life situations and great sensitivity to the subjects is demanded. I photographed both a murder scene and an accident scene - that's about as real as you can get."
This year's SPJ annual regional conference in Pittsburgh included 39 different categories, 18 universities and 377 entries.
"I think it's a testament to the staff - we have a lot of talented people," said David Harris, current Editor-in-Chief. "It adds to our reputation of being a good newspaper. We have a lot of respect now."
news@cm-life.com
SPJ awarded CMU's independent student newspaper with 12 awards Saturday, including Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper in region 4, which is made up of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.
"It certainly places CM Life among the best collegiate newspapers in the country," said former Editor-in-Chief and CMU alumnus Mark W. Smith, who led the paper during the 2006-07 year. "It's certainly great credit to the great staff we have. I was especially impressed by the awards we won for editorials."
CM Life Senior Photographer Alex Stawinski received Best Feature Writing for "The Power of Touch," a story about Jacob Hartshorne, a deaf and blind child with CHARGE Syndrome.
"I've really grown last year, and I felt now I could really take control of the story," the Rochester senior said. "The story was a powerful one. It was a privilege to tell that story to the community."
Because of the first place honors, Stawinski's feature story and the newspaper will compete a the SPJ national convention in September in Atlanta.
CM Life won six second-place awards, including one for editorials; Saginaw junior Brian Manzullo for sports column writing, Clarkston senior John Ehlke for sports photo, Dexter junior Dan Monson for sports writing, Muskegon senior Lucas Merrill for feature photography and Rives Junction senior Krista Mayo for breaking news photo.
CM Life also won three third-place awards, including Commerce Township senior Patrick Siller for general news photo, Mayo for breaking news photo, and Jackson senior Evan T. Shaner for cartooning.
"(The awards) show that CM Life is not just another newspaper, it's the best in its region," said Meredith Mayberry, Goodrich sophomore and vice president of CMU's SPJ chapter. "We have high standards, so apparently we rank well among other papers in the country."
Mayo, assistant photo editor for CM Life, was the only person to walk away with two awards.
"Receiving the awards for SPJ is a bittersweet way to mark the end of my college career," said Mayo, whose breaking news photos of a crime scene and a car crash earned her the awards. "These are real-life situations and great sensitivity to the subjects is demanded. I photographed both a murder scene and an accident scene - that's about as real as you can get."
This year's SPJ annual regional conference in Pittsburgh included 39 different categories, 18 universities and 377 entries.
"I think it's a testament to the staff - we have a lot of talented people," said David Harris, current Editor-in-Chief. "It adds to our reputation of being a good newspaper. We have a lot of respect now."
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Vince Chrisman MSA '88
posted 3/17/08 @ 9:23 PM EST
CM-LIFE is a fantastic newspaper and hats off to all that are involved that make it the success it is today. Congratulations and keep up the great work!
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