(Charleston, IL) — EIU’s student-run news organization, The Daily Eastern News, was named the Best College Media Group of the Year for the second straight year by the College Media Association at the national conference in New Orleans this past week for its excellent coverage across print, digital and social media.
The DEN also took first in six other categories – Weekly Newspaper of the Year, Sports Newsletter, News Website Front Page, Sports Website Page and Opinions Page – among its 20 total awards across print, digital and social media platforms.
“This was supposed to be a re-building year,” said EIU student publications director Joe Gisondi. “But EIC Rob Le Cates and his staff worked extra hard to retain the strong journalism traditions at the DEN.”
The DEN finished second in six additional categories, which included its diversity coverage and a profile on a Charleston city council member, Matt Hutti, who unexpectedly passed away.
“These awards highlight all the top-quality work that students are doing every day,” said EIU editorial adviser Tim Drachlis. “Eastern Illinois is lucky to have such a dedicated and talented group of journalists telling the community every day what is happening both on and off campus.”
The DEN had captured 15 CMA Pinnacle national awards last year, a few months after having won 34 awards in the Illinois College Press Association competition. The young DEN staff last year did not include a single senior editor for the spring semester.
“It is an immense honor to receive as many awards as we did for my time as editor in chief,” Le Cates said. “Considering the experience gap and learning curve our staff had with being primarily new, I am very proud for their accomplishments.”
Four different students earned national photography awards.
“To place in a national collegiate photo contest is a tremendous honor,” said Greg Cooper, photo advisor for EIU student publications. “I am proud to see the results of the student’s efforts pay off and look forward to what they accomplish on and off campus over the next year.”
The DEN earned four photo awards.
Here is the complete set of winners.
First Place
- College Media Group of The Year
- Weekly Newspaper of the Year
- Sports Newsletter by Aidan Cusack
- Nameplate by Rob Le Cates
- News website front page by staff
- Sports page by Rob Le Cates & Harper Hancock
- Opinion page by Rob Le Cates
Second Place
- Diversity coverage by Alli Hausmann
- Best profile by Alexis Moore Jones
- Web sports section by staff
- Nameplate design by staff
- Sports feature photo by Rob Le Cates
- Sports column by Alli Hausmann
Honorable mention
- Game story by Zaria Flippin
- Sports news photo by Tyriq Johnson
- General news photo by Iyanna Stanton
- Portrait photo by Sia Deykoontz
- Best column by John Wills
- Social media reporting by Rob Le Cates and Zaria Flippin
- News package by Cam’ron Hardy
- News page spread design by Rob Le Cates