IC recognized for awards in journalism

The Independent Collegian won two Mark of Excellence awards from the Society of Professional Journalists at a conference on Saturday, March 21, in Athens, Ohio.

This year, the IC won best all-around non-daily newspaper and sports editor, Blake Bacho, won best sports writing. The IC also placed as a finalist in editorial writing. Associate News Editor Colleen Anderson and Copy Editor Jared Hightower were at the conference at Ohio University to accept the awards.

According to Anderson, not only was the conference a chance for the IC to be recognized for its talent, but it also acted as a learning experience.

“The panels were all very informative, and I learned a lot about improving the way I investigate and write my stories,” Anderson said.

These were not the only awards that the IC has won this year.

In February, the IC was also recognized at the Ohio Newspaper Association Annual Convention, winning first place in arts and entertainment, multiple awards in opinion writing, first place in sports coverage, second place in design and second place in photojournalism.

At this year’s SPJ conference, Wesley Lowery was the keynote speaker. He was part of the team that covered the Boston Marathon bombings as well as being one of the journalists that covered the events that unfolded in Ferguson.

The conference included multiple types of events including everything from explaining the first amendment in today’s world to gender identity.

The IC competed against other non-daily newspapers from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

This year’s SPJ awards were for performance during the 2013-14 school year.

The newspaper, which became legally independent from the University of Toledo in 2000, is operated by the Collegian Media Foundation, a nonprofit organization.