Competing with other writers from weekly college newspapers across Michigan, Breana Noble ’18, last year’s Collegian editor-in-chief, took second place for Best Writer at the Michigan Press Association’s College Better Newspaper Contest last week. The 2017-2018 Collegian staff won nine other awards as well.
“This is a wonderful recognition of our terrific journalism students,” said John Miller, director of Hillsdale’s Dow Journalism Program. “Most impressive may be the numbers and range: eight students won awards in seven categories. These awards are a testament to the long hours the Collegian staff devotes to this work as well as to the quality of what they produce each week.”
The MPA accepted 765 entries from 17 Michigan college newspapers, organized in three divisions. The Collegian competed in the second division against other weekly papers. Michigan State University took first place for 2018 College Newspaper of the Year in that division.
The Collegian grabbed awards in multiple categories.
Just behind Noble, Mark Naida ’18 took honorable mention in the best writer category. In the features category, senior Julie Havlak took first place and honorable mention, and Jo Kroeker ’18 grabbed second place. Madeleine Jepsen ’18 placed third in the news story category, and Katie Scheu ’18 took third for an editorial she wrote. Madeline Fry ’18 took third place in a column category as well as honorable mention for a news photo. Hannah Niemeier ’18 received honorable mention for non-front page cover design for her Culture page.
“There was strong competition in many of the writing categories this year, so I’m proud of the Collegian’s work,” said Maria Servold, assistant director of the Dow Journalism Program.
Junior Nolan Ryan, the Collegian’s news editor, also received a Michigan Press Association Foundation scholarship, offered to students from Michigan who have reporting experience in the area and plan to pursue journalism.
“We are very proud of Nolan and grateful for his hard work on the Collegian and at his internships,” Servold said.
Noble said she is proud of the Collegian staff’s work last year.
“It’s been a great team effort, and I’m grateful for the editors for making it what it is: a product that students can enjoy reading every week,” she said.
