Â鶹¹û¶³ student journalists won 18 awards, including eight first place honors, at the annual convention of the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC). Â鶹¹û¶³'s total was more than that received by any of the 30 competing schools.
Megan Voelkel, a December Â鶹¹û¶³ graduate, was named co-winner of the College Journalist of the Year award. Voelkel was cited for her writing, potential, overall quality and other aspects of professionalism. She was editor-in-chief of Â鶹¹û¶³'s Crimson newspaper during 2005-06 and assistant art director of Exodus magazine.
Â鶹¹û¶³'s Exodus was named co-winner of the best student magazine award. Judges gave the publication an "excellent" rating in all 10 judging criteria categories, calling it "an outstanding publication…great product." The 64-page color magazine is published annually. Kendra Buckles was managing editor.
Other first place award winners from Â鶹¹û¶³ were: Kimberly Holland, arts and entertainment writer; Brittany Raymond, news-editorial arts/illustrator; Jenny Berryhill, magazine page designer; Ashley McCleery, magazine writer and media law; and Whitney Farmer, radio journalist.
Â鶹¹û¶³ finalists in various categories were: Annie Murphree, feature writer; Emily Mullins, opinion-editorial writer; Christopher Smith, sports writer; Nick Holdbrooks, news graphic designer and info graphics; Andy Searles, news-editorial artist/illustrator; Lauren Welty, advertising staffer; Lauren Gardner, journalism research paper; Emily Sparks, media ethics; and Jessica Garner, public relations.
Â鶹¹û¶³ hosted the SEJC annual convention, held Jan. 25-27.