The Journal

Issue date: 4/14/05 Section: News

Media Credit: RYAN RUMBERGER / The Journal The Journal staff took top honors at the MCMA newspaper competition.

The Webster University campus newspaper, The Journal, won 19 awards April 9 at the Missouri College Media Association's awards ceremony, including the "Best in State" award. This is the first "Best in State" award for the newspaper. The Journal also won in its division for best-overall newspaper.

Besides the state-wide award, The Journal won nine other first-place awards in its division, including:

* First Place - Best Overall Newspaper

* First Place - Editorial Page

* First Place - Regular Column - Maggie Carlson

* First Place - In-Depth News Reporting - Jill Moon

* First Place - Investigative Reporting - Jill Moon

* First Place - Feature Photography - Ryan Rumberger

* First Place - News Photography - Ryan Rumberger

* First Place - Photo Page - Ryan Rumberger

* First Place - Best Web site - Emily Dale Swoboda

Jonathan Kleinow, Editor-in-chief of The Journal, said the awards were indicative of the quality of the staff.

"'Best in State' was a complete surprise," Kleinow said. "Considering we were up against University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University, St. Louis University and a number of other papers that have traditionally won this award, I think it shows our staff is dedicated and it demonstrates the great strides we've made in the last year."

Other editors were happy to see recognition for the newspaper, which has come under fire from the university's administration during the 2004-05 academic year.

"This is particularly gratifying considering how The Journal has come under fire from critics and naysayers," said Lindsey Pilcher, managing editor. "We have a small staff that takes seriously its obligation to investigate controversial issues on campus."

Jill Moon, who won first place for a series on Marletto's Marketplace in the investigative journalism category, said her story did not come without its challenges.

"Good journalism does not go without opposition, especially investigative and in-depth reporting," Moon said.

Ryan Rumberger, photography editor for The Journal and winner of three first-place awards, said the staff's team effort is just as important as individual awards.

"Photojournalism is about being in the right place at the right time, and having good stories to cover makes taking good pictures that much easier," Rumberger said. "The photo page was a collaborative effort and I'm more happy with the way the page looks than I am with winning the award."

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