CM Life named best online newspaper by MPA
The Central Michigan Life team poses with its awards from the School of Communication, Journalism and Media on Friday, April 24, 2026. Photo by Kathy Simon.
The Central Michigan Life team brought home several awards last week.
On Thursday, CM Life attended the Michigan Press Association’s annual convention, where Managing Editor Blace Carpenter was recognized as the MPA’s Fellow 2025. He travelled to Lansing to report on the legislative history of the Freedom of Information Act in Michigan.
CM Life also received first place for Best Online Paper from the Michigan Press Association.
Photo Editor Mark Hoover won in three categories: College Photographer of the Year, Best Feature Photo and Best Sports Photo.
The design and advertising teams were recognized as well:
- Third place in Front Page Design: Jo Kenoshmeg and Zoey Lawrence
- Third place in Non-front Page Design: Paige Jaczkowski, Ben Westerhof and Zoey Lawrence
- First and third place for Best Special Advertising Section: CM Life Staff
In addition, CM Life attended the School of Communication, Journalism and Media's Awards Ceremony on Friday.
The following CM Life staff members received these awards and scholarships:
- Photographer and news reporter Cristin Coppess received: the Kenneth W. and Margaret Cuff Saunders Scholarship, Gilbert O. Maienknecht Communication Scholarship, Elliott Parker Memorial Scholarship in Journalism, George and Vivian Malewska Scholarship, Robert E. McCabe Scholarship, Charles E. Anthony Scholarship, Journalism Academic Excellence Award and Excellence in Student Journalism
- Sports reporter Chance Hamilton was awarded with: the Kenneth W. and Margaret Cuff Saunders Scholarship, Dr. Michael J. Petrick Scholarship and Journalism Rising Star Award
- Carpenter: Clarke Endowed Student Journalism Scholarship, Pam Klein Memorial Endowed Journalism Scholarship, Gilbert O. Maienknecht Communication Scholarship, Robert E. McCabe Scholarship and Excellence in Student Journalism
- News reporter Ethan Wallace: Friends of CMU Journalism Award, Dr. Michael J. Petrick Scholarship, Ruth Anne Stevens and Stephen P. Latus Internship Program and Journalism Rising Star Award
- Hoover: Matthew Dobek Journalism Endowment, Journalism Academic Excellence Award and Excellence in Student Journalism
- Sports reporter David Powell: Matthew Dobek Journalism Endowment and Journalism Academic Excellence Award
- News editor Grace Walker: Judith and William Serrin Memorial Award, Ruth Anne Stevens and Stephen P. Latus Internship Program and Excellence in Student Journalism
- Photographer Claire Vachon: Newvine Student Journalist, Ken Stevens Endowed Photojournalism Internship Memorial, Journalism Leadership Award and Journalism Rising Star Award
- Account manager Julia McKee: Strategic Communication Rising Star Award
- Account manager Lily Armentrout: Strategic Communication Rising Star Award
- Account manager Katelynn Nehilla: Strategic Communication Rising Star Award
- Account manager Keigan Garcia: Strategic Communication Rising Star Award
- Multimedia editor McKenzie Nowak: Outstanding Advertising Student
- Assistant Advertising Manager Jaydin Ruhle: Outstanding Advertising Student
- Account manager Ella Swenson: Outstanding Advertising Student
- Designer Paige Jaczkowski: Charles E. Anthony Scholarship, Outstanding Club/Organization Leader
- Assistant Advertising Manager Mickie Dausey: Student Leadership Award
- Advertising Manager Olivia Garcia: Student Leadership Award
- Photographer Alivia Cranick: Journalism Academic Excellence Award and Journalism Rising Star Award
- Editor-in-chief Masha Smahliuk: Journalism Academic Excellence Award and Journalism Leadership Award
- Sports editor Sydney Neal: Journalism Leadership Award
- Assistant photo editor Zoey Morse: Excellence in Student Journalism
- Sports reporter Ava Regitz: Excellence in Student Journalism
- Sports reporter Brooke Binder: Journalism Rising Star Award
- News reporter Elizabeth Sadecki: Journalism Rising Star Award
