Cronkite School Places First in Nation in Hearst Competition

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication took first place in the annual Hearst Journalism Awards, often called the Pulitzer Prizes of college journalism.

This year’s victory follows two consecutive second-place finishes by Arizona State University and marks the school’s sixth consecutive Top 10 finish in the prestigious competition.

“The Hearst Journalism Awards Program is the gold standard for college journalism,” said Cronkite Dean Christopher Callahan. “This year’s first-place finish in this extraordinarily competitive program is a testament to truly remarkable team of talented students and dedicated teachers. We could not be more proud of them.”

The University of Missouri and the University of Florida finished second and third respectively.

The top place goes to the school that accumulates the most points each year in writing, photography and broadcast news. This year Cronkite students placed first in broadcast news, third in writing and seventh in photography for the most points overall. The school will receive $12,500 in prize money.

Top-ranking students will receive cash awards and compete in national championships to be held in San Francisco in June.

More than 100 accredited journalism schools around the country compete in the annual Hearst Awards competition, and student work is judged by professional journalists. The program was established by publisher William Randolph Hearst in the 1940s to recognize the best work in college journalism.

Career Services Director Mike Wong and Assistant Dean Kristin Gilger coordinate the Hearst Journalism Awards for the Cronkite School.

Cronkite School students who placed in this year’s competition are:

Television Feature Reporting
Elias Johnson, Manson, Iowa, first
Hailey Frances, Scottsdale, Ariz., 11th

Television News Reporting
Amanda Goodman, Yuma, Ariz., second
Hailey Frances, Scottsdale, Ariz., 17th

Radio News Reporting
Martha Castaneda, Glendale, Ariz., third
Molly O’Brien, Renton, Wash., sixth

Radio Feature Reporting
Justin Karp, Santa Clara, Calif., 15th
Laura Kennedy, Phoenix, 16th

Portrait/personality and feature photography
Deanna Dent, Tempe, Ariz., fourth
Jeremiah Armenta, Phoenix, eighth

News and sports photography
Jeremiah Armenta, Phoenix, 15th

Picture story/series photography
Jeremiah Armenta, Phoenix, 17th

Personality/profile writing
Tatiana Hensley, Londrina, Parana, Brazil, first
Kyle Odegard, Gilbert, Ariz., second

Sports writing
James Schmehl, Troy, Mich., 13th

Spot news writing
Samantha Novick, Chandler, Ariz., second
Carolyn Carver, Glenwood Springs, Colo., 16th

Feature writing
James Kindle, Riverton, Wyo., 17th tie