Published: April 27, 2015
Photo of award certificates

This weekend at the Society of Professional Journalists​ Region 9 Conference, the Ìýreceived five awards. Four of them wereÌýtop honors and will also compete for the national award in their respectiveÌýcategories, which willÌýbe announced in May.

2015 SPJ Mark of Excellence Region 9 Awards

Here are the awards that the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Independent received.Ìý

  • Winner, Best Digital-Only Student Publication
    ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Independent Staff
    Ìý
  • Winner, Online Opinion & Commentary
    Ellis Arnold, ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Independent
    For "The view on Ferguson,Ìý Mike Brown and America"
    Ìý
  • Winner, Radio FeatureÌý
    Patrick Fort, ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Independent
    "ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Stories, Episode 4: ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at night"
    Ìý
  • Winner, Online News Reporting
    Lars Gesing, Gray Bender & Nigel Amstock, ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Independent
    "Senator Undall visits ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ on campaign trail"
    Ìý
  • Finalist (runner-up), Online Feature ReportingÌý
    Patrick Fort, Kai Casey & Rob Denton, ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ IndependentÌý
    "People of 4/20"

student reporter Lars Gesing was also recognized by the SPJ:

  • Finalist,ÌýOnline In-Depth Reporting (two separate entries)Ìý
    "Economic upturn might not be enough for ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Democrats in congressional midterms"Ìý
    Ìý
  • Finalist,ÌýOnline In-Depth Reporting (two separate entries)Ìý
    "The party of non-voters: Meet ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥'s no-shows"

2015 Online Pacemaker competition

The ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥I was also announced as a finalist by theÌýAssociated Collegiate Press (ACP)Ìýin the . The ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥IÌýstaff are competing with just two other online-only student journalism news sources for this national award. The winner will be announced in November.

Congratulations, students!