Students, Vermilion earn kudos from Society of Professional Journalists

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The Society of Professional Journalists has recognized seven journalism students at the University of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette, and its student newspaper, The Vermilion.

Mark of Excellence awards were presented during the recent SPJ regional conference held in Knoxville, Tenn. The competition honored winners and finalists for work that was done last year by college students from Arkansas, ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The Vermilion won in the best affiliated website category.

University students earned awards in a range of categories.

  • Kailey Broussard, a junior journalism major from Lafayette, won for general news photography, and online news reporting.
  • Dan Boudreaux, a journalism graduate from Opelousas, La., won for breaking news reporting. He was also a finalist in general news reporting. Both awards were given for articles that were published in the Acadiana Advocate.
  • Holly Duchmann, a journalism graduate from Pearl River, La., was a finalist in general news reporting for her work with the Acadiana Advocate.
  • Garrett Ohlmeyer, a sports information graduate from Lafayette, won the online sports reporting category. The award recognized work published on Ragin’ Wire, a website managed by University multimedia journalism students.
  • Karley Nugent, a senior journalism major from New Orleans, Heather Osbourne, a journalism graduate from New Orleans, and Chelsea Yaeger, a senior journalism major from Brooklyn, N.Y., shared the top spot in online ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ reporting. The award was given for a story on Ragin’ Wire. Nugent was also a finalist in online news reporting for work on Ragin’ Wire.

Winners will compete in the SPJ’s national Mark of Excellence competition to be held during the society’s national convention from Sept. 7-9 in Anaheim, Calif.

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Photo: Kailey Broussard, right, president of UL Lafayette's chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, won two awards in regional competition in Knoxville, Tenn.  She is shown with Amanda Womack, SPJ Region 12 director, and Dr. Robert Buckman, faculty adviser of the University’s SPJ chapter. Photo by Anna DeOrnellas Davis.

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