Society of Professional Journalists Honors JMS
Faculty and students from the School of JMS make strong showing at local awards ceremony
by Bella Ross
August 1, 2019
Students, professors and alumni of San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media studies won big on July 17 for their commitment to reporting on a variety of areas.
San Diego’s Society of Professional Journalists honored the university’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Aztec, with 13 awards on Wednesday night. Some students also placed for their contributions to professional outlets, such as the North Coast Current.
The university’s influence at the banquet extended past just current students, with many awards going out to SDSU alumni and professors. Among those being awarded were recent 2019 graduates, Bella Ross, Jack Molmud, and Lauren J. Mapp.
The awards cover a variety of areas, honoring everything from hard news stories to witty headlines.
As well as succeeding in awards, the school will be newly represented on the SPJ board of directors by 2019 Outstanding Journalism Graduate Lauren J. Mapp and Associate Professor Arthur Santana. They were selected through a vote by SPJ members in June.
Recent graduates and former editors for The Daily Aztec Will Fritz and Andrew Dyer took home first place for best college news story for their reporting on a university professor who was accused of discriminating against a student because of her race, resulting in an investigation.
The newspaper also swept the arts and entertainment category, with first, second and third place wins for journalism junior Brenden Tuccinardi. Also the incoming engagement editor for the publication, Tuccinardi won for his coverage of student musicians and filmmakers.
On top of the newspaper’s 10 individual awards, The Daily Aztec staff was also honored as the best college newspaper. The staff also got first and second place in the editorial category for criticizing SDSU’s student elections and Greek system .
SDSU journalism professors, many of whom are still active in the media industry, were too successful at the SPJ banquet. Journalism professor and editor for the North Coast Current Roman Koenig won second place for best digital news website. Mapp, a contributor to the publication, won first place among nondaily publications for her food story, “Roasters brewing up artisan coffee movement in North County.”
For a full list of Wednesday night’s winners, please visit the SPJ website .
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
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