Current and former students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications earned 11 awards in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards Competition on April 23.

The awards honor the best in student journalism. Categories are first judged at the regional level. Region 7 includes colleges and universities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. First-place regional winners advance to the national competition. The national winners will be showcased here, and a best in show award will be given for the overall best entry among all national winners.

Huskers won in three categories. The winners are listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school or graduation month, major(s), category and entry title.

Nebraska

• Bellevue: Anne Gallagher, May 2023 graduate, broadcasting, television in-depth reporting, “How JUUL impacted the evolution of the vaping epidemic in Nebraska, U.S.”

Elsewhere in the U.S.

• Overland Park, Kansas: Brian Beach, May 2023 graduate, journalism, general news reporting (large), “‘Capitalism with a heart’: How Ho-Chunk Inc. strengthens tribal community in Winnebago.”
• Lebanon, Tennessee: Alex Neill, senior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, podcast (narrative), “The Subgenropedia.”

“The Subgenropedia was a passion project I started my sophomore year, and I have seen it grow to heights that I could not even imagine,” Neill said. “I am so thankful for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNL and professors like Richard Alloway and Kaci Ritcher, who push students to have the best of the best content in Nebraska.”

Huskers were finalists in seven categories. The finalists are listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school or graduation month, major (s), category and entry title.

Nebraska

• Bellevue: Nathan Hawkins, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting and sports media and communication, television general news reporting, “Civil engineers work to combat O Street’s accidents.”
• Elm Creek: Hallie Gutzwiller, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting, radio feature, “Autumn birding in Nebraska: An experience for all.”
• Lincoln: Kloee Sander, May 2023 graduate, broadcasting, in-depth reporting (large), “‘Sticker shock’: Greek house values skyrocket after review; the tax bills come next”; Jackson Reddick, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, radio feature, “A BUZZworthy collaboration: UNL Bee Club and Reactor Coffee create a fun drink.”
• Nebraska City: Macy Neumeister, December 2023 graduate, broadcasting and journalism, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.
• Omaha: Naomi Delkamiller, senior, advertising and public relations, and journalism, television in-depth reporting, “Restrictions at Catholic hospitals reduce abortion access, even in blue states”; Lucas Sinnett, senior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.

Elsewhere in the U.S.

• Des Moines, Iowa: Marissa Lindemann, senior, broadcasting and journalism, best use of multimedia, “Disking the river: How Platte River management makes crane migration possible.”
• Overland Park, Kansas: Ellie Kuckelman, May 2023 graduate, journalism, photo essay/slideshow, “A neighborhood of diversity, strength and community.”
• El Paso, Texas: Jay Quemado, senior, broadcasting and journalism, best all-around television newscast category, Nebraska Nightly.
• Rice Lake, Wisconsin: Alaina Tomesh, senior, broadcasting, best all-around television newscast, Nebraska Nightly.

“Congratulations to our Mark of Excellence award winners,” said Shari Veil, Jane T. Olson Dean of the journalism college. “These awards not only celebrate excellence in student journalism, but reflect the dedication, talent and hard work of our Huskers. We’re immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their continued success as they advance to the national competition.”

To learn more about the SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards, click here.