USF journalism students earn state recognition
Three University of St. Francis students earned awards at the Illinois College Press Association Annual Conference, where student journalists from more than 40 college newspapers from across the state recently gathered in Chicago.
Six University of St. Francis students, along with their advisor Bryan Berry attended this year’s conference. Three USF students earned awards for their articles in the university’s student newspaper, the Encounter.
Senior Scott Rodgers of Joliet earned a first place award in the “News Writing,” small-school division. Junior Keegan Kociss of Gardner received a second place award in the “News Writing,” small-school division. Senior Keith Hernandez from Aurora received an honorable mention in the “Non-Sports Column” category.
Other students that attended the conference were Katrina Crone from Peoria, Samantha Metcalf from Oak Lawn, and Aaron Krumreich from New Lenox “It was good to go out and meet other students from different colleges studying the same things we are, and encountering the same problems we do in dealing with our school newspaper”, said Assistant Editor Scott Rodgers.
“It was a great experience to attend the conference with my fellow students and to hear the different presentations given by faculty and students from other college newspapers. I think I really gained some valuable information to use back at USF,” said Encounter editor-in-chief Keegan Kociss.
The 2007 ICPA conference was Feb. 16-17. Membership to the ICPA is open to all four-year colleges in the state. Member schools may nominate student-journalists for awards in 29 different categories.
“The ICPA conference is geared toward giving student journalists the opportunity to meet and talk with professionals in every aspect of journalism. Besides meeting these professionals, the nearly 400 students also got to meet and talk with one another, letting them learn first hand how other papers work, “
said Ron Wiginton, president, Illinois College Press Association.
The ICPA contest is judged by professional journalist from around the state. This means the awards bestowed on the Encounter were selected because of their merit as works of excellent journalism. One of the most prestigious awards is for the best News Story. This year, the First Place award for News Story, in the small-school division, was given to as USF student Scott Rodgers. The University of St. Francis should indeed be honored by this recognition. His work is a credit not only to his school, but to journalism,” said Wiginton.