May 22, 2009
Western Washington University Journalism students and publications recently received six Regional Mark of Excellence Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists' (SPJ).
The journalistic work of Western students Gabrielle Nomura, Mark Malijan, Sidonie DeCassis and Cody Gillin was recognized as some of the best in student journalism in a region covering Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana.
Western publications Klipsun Magazine and The Planet were honored as the region's first-and second-place student magazines, respectively.
Nomura won third place for in-depth reporting for her article titled "Bellingham's push to end 'paper or plastic'" in the Bellingham Business Journal. Malijan won first place in sports photography for a photo titled "Out of the hazard." DeCassis's article, titled "Great pacific garbage patch," won second place for best magazine non-fiction article and Gillin's article, titled "Kangaroo: It's what's for dinner," won third place in the same category.
For more information, contact Shearlean Duke, WWU Department of Journalism, at (360) 650-3269 or shearlean.duke@wwu.edu.