South Dakota’s pride in journalism shone brightly at the recent Midwest Journalism Conference held in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Collegian Media, a beacon of student journalism from South Dakota State University (SDSU), secured a remarkable eight regional awards. These accolades highlight the talent and dedication of South Dakota’s burgeoning journalists.
Collegian Media, based in Brookings, South Dakota, is an influential platform dedicated to nurturing the next generation of journalists. Their recent success at the Midwest Journalism Conference exemplifies the commitment of South Dakota to foster excellence in education and media.
The awards were distributed by three prestigious bodies: the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Region 6 Mark of Excellence Awards, the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s (MBJA) Eric Sevareid Awards, and the Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation’s Student Production Awards. Region 6 of the SPJ comprises Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin—highlighting the competitive environment in which South Dakota students excelled.
Society of Professional Journalists Region 6 Mark of Excellence Awards
At the SPJ Region 6 Mark of Excellence Awards, South Dakota’s Tyler Merriam, through his podcast “Conversations with COJO,” secured the top honor in the Podcast (Conversational) category. This win provides a spotlight on the innovative storytelling emerging from South Dakota State University.
Faren Bebeau and Emily DeCock’s insightful coverage in “Freshman roper tops in the region” captured the Television General News Reporting award. Meanwhile, Willem Lim’s piece “No Kings’ Rally draws hundreds Saturday” was honored for General News Reporting in the Large, 10k+ students category. The Collegian newspaper was also recognized as a finalist for the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper, a testament to the quality journalism being produced in South Dakota.
Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s Eric Sevareid Awards
Named after North Dakota-born journalist Eric Sevareid, these awards honor the best broadcast journalism in a six-state region. In this fiercely competitive field, Collegian Media made South Dakota proud. “The Collegian Report” by Emily Attrill earned an Award of Merit for Broadcast Writing, while “Healing through horses: Supporting Native Students at SDSU” by Brooke Burnette and Brayden Byers received an Award of Merit for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Such achievements underscore the importance of inclusive and impactful storytelling originating from South Dakota.
Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation’s Student Production Awards
The Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation highlights outstanding cultural, educational, and technological achievements by students. Collegian Media received finalist nominations for their “The Collegian Report Magazine Show” and the standout talent of Annie Witt in News or Sports Talent. These nominations emphasize the high caliber of media education provided in South Dakota.
The crowning moment for Collegian Media will be celebrated during the annual COJO Graduation & Awards Celebration, set for April 28 at the Student Union’s Hobo Day Gallery. The event will recognize the achievements and future potential of South Dakota’s finest in journalism.
Through these awards, Collegian Media and South Dakota State University not only highlight the exceptional student talent but also place South Dakota on the map as a nurturing ground for journalistic excellence. This further cements the state’s commitment to fostering a thriving educational environment, inspiring future generations of storytellers from the heart of South Dakota.
For more details on the awards, you can view the full list on the MBJA website and the Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation’s website.