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