July 02, 2004

Community college newspapers win awards

by Paula M. Davenport

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Seven student newspapers from community colleges across the state won prizes for their outstanding work in an annual competition sponsored by the School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

They finished ahead of papers by 20 peer schools in Illinois.

"Our faculty judges were again impressed by the high quality of journalism produced by these community college publications," said Walter B. Jaehnig, director of the SIUC journalism school, housed in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

"We look forward to seeing some of these journalists joining our program in Carbondale," he added.

SIUC's "J" School launched the contest to recognize the dedication and efforts of student journalists attending Illinois' junior colleges.

A closer look at the winners:

  • The Courier, the student newspaper for College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, was judged first place for overall excellence and first place for photography. The Courier also took a second place for advertising and a third place in the graphic design category.

  • The Lake Land Navigator, the student newspaper of Lake Land Community College in Mattoon, earned first place honors in both graphic design and in advertising design.

  • The Black Hawk College Chieftain was judged as second place for overall excellence and second place for its photography. Black Hawk College has campuses in Moline and Kewanee.

  • The Highland Community College Chronicle in Freeport snared three awards: second place for excellence in graphics, third place for overall excellence and third place for photography.

  • The Moraine Valley Community College Glacier, Palos Hills, was awarded third place for its advertising as well as a honorable mention for overall excellence.

  • The I.V. Leader, the student newspaper of Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, received two honorable mentions, for overall excellence and for photography. The Morton Community College Collegian, in Cicero, received an honorable mention for overall excellence.

The School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is one of the nation's oldest and this year celebrates its 55th year. It offers preparation for rewarding careers in advertising/integrated marketing communication, news-editorial journalism, and photojournalism.