University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student journalists, WUFT News staff, The Independent Alligator staff and editorial board, and floridagators.com interns were honored in the Region 3 2022 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence (MOE) Awards competition. The awards recognize the best collegiate journalism in Region 3 which comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Winners and finalists include:

Print/Online
Breaking News Reporting (Large): Winner, “UF Presidential Finalist Ben Sasse Addresses Community in Campus Visit, Protestors Storm Forum,” Makiya Seminera, The Independent Florida Alligator
In-Depth Reporting (Large): Finalist, “Campus Tragedy: New Details in UF Student Hit-and-Run Death as Driver to Be Sentenced,” Troy Myers, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT
Feature Writing (Large): Winner, “For the Love of Dog,” Mindy Nissenberg, Atrium Magazine
Sports Writing (Large): Finalist, “Gators Football Found Opponent it Couldn’t Block: Parking Enforcers,” Alexander Lugo, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT
Editorial/Opinion Writing: Winner, The Independent Florida Alligator Editorials, The Independent Florida Alligator Editorial Board
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large): Winner, The Independent Florida Alligator staff

Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Breaking News Photography: Winner “Sister Cindy Draws Crowd at Alma Mater,” Alan Halaly, The Independent Florida Alligator
Feature Photography: Finalist, “Gators Comeback in OT to Take Down In-State Rival Miami,” Emma Bissell, floridagators.com
News Videography: Winner, “Operation Island Rescue,” Chris Will, WUFT News
Feature Videography: Winner, “Flying Golf Carts,” Ophelie Jacobson, WUFT News
Sports Photography: Finalist, “Florida Gators Women’s Basketball Takes Down Miami in Overtime,” Emma Bissell, floridagators.com

Audio
Radio News Reporting: Finalist, “Sunken Homes,” Jack Prator, WUFT-FM
Radio Feature: Finalist, “Jim Crow and the Coast: For Black Floridians, Getting to the Beach Wasn’t Always Easy,” Christina Pugliese, WUFT-FM
Best All-Around Radio Newscast: Winner, “The Point Newscast,” “The Point” staff, WUFT-FM

Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting: Winner, “K9 Controversy Video Released,” Jake Reyes, Shawn Humphrey, WUFT-TV
Television News In-Depth Reporting: Finalist, “GPD K9 Controversy,” WUFT-TV News Staff
Television Sports Reporting: Finalist, “Rivalry & Traditions: Florida-Georgia in Jax,” Chris Will, WUFT-TV
Best All-Around Television News Magazine: Finalist, “Hurricane Ian: The Aftermath,” WUFT-News, WUFT-TV

All Platform
Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism: Finalist, “Long-Standing Music Venue Closes Doors Once Again,” Kristine Villarroel, The Independent Florida Alligator

MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions. National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the SPJ’s 2023 convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 28-30.

Posted: April 11, 2023
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: floridagators.com, Fresh Take Florida, SPJ Region 2 Mark of Excellence Awards, The Independent Florida Alligator, WUFT News, WUFT-FM