About the awards:

The Mark of Excellence Awards annually honor the best in student journalism. The awards offer 45 categories for print, radio, television and online collegiate journalism. USU's entries compete against colleges and universities throughout Region 9, which comprises Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas. Winners automatically are entered in the national competition sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.

2004 Region 9 Mark of Excellence:

First Place: Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication.

Online Feature stories:

First place: Denise Albiston, Serpentine tank trap at the gate just the tip of post-9/11 security at Hill Air Force Base

Second place: Doan Nguyen, He wrote 'BER' on the 'BAR' sign, and has been cutting hair ever since

Third place: Doan Nguyen, USU students 'taste the joy' as yoga classes bloom in Logan

2003 Region 9 Mark of Excellence:

First Place: Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication.

Online General News:

Third Place -- Shanna Nielsen, "Security that kept some JFK files secret also
spread outrageous rumors, Hall says."

Online Feature Writing:

Second Place -- Shanna Nielsen, "Popular yoga classes have students striking a
pose for mental, physical health."

Third Place -- Shanna Nielsen, "USU students learn ethnography in Peru
includes bug bites, surfing, salsa."

Online Sports Writing:

First Place -- Earl D. Scott, "Never mind the bruises -- new women's hockey
team looking forward to aggressive play."

Second Place -- Earl D. Scott, "'We're ready to sweat,' new USU women's
basketball coach vows."

Third Place -- Earl D. Scott, "Being in the WAC means more fame, fortune."

2002 SPJ National Mark of Excellence:

Online In-Depth Reporting:

Second Place - Marie Griffin and Joseph M. Dougherty, "Unpopular column brings Tremonton student fame, grief."

Online Opinion and Commentary:

Second Place - Leon D’souza, "War games: Making sense of the conflict over war with Iraq," "What you (and Mr. Bush) ought to know before attacking Iraq."

2002 SPJ Region 9 Mark of Excellence:

Honorable Mention: Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication.

Online General News Reporting:

Third Place - Bryan Seeley, "When JCOM students talk, nation's media are all ears for Earbags."

Online Feature Reporting:

First Place - Lindsey Blau, "JJ - Heather Christensen’s ‘incredible privilege’
and challenge of a lifetime."

Second Place - Andrea N. King, "Milkman: It's all about time and speed as Jay Jeppson works all night, then heads to class."

Third Place - Melanie Steele, "Living with Glaucoma: An appreciation of sight."

Online In-Depth Reporting:

First Place - Marie Griffin and Joseph M. Dougherty, "Unpopular column brings
Tremonton student fame, grief."

Second Place - Kari Gray, "No arms? No worries, as teacher and motivational speaker walks the walk and talks the talk."

Online Sports Reporting:

Third Place - Landon Olson, "Crosbie steps from player to assistant coach of
USU volleyball team."

Online Opinion and Commentary:

First Place - Leon D'Souza, "War games: Making sense of the conflict over war with Iraq," "What you (and Mr. Bush) ought to know before attacking Iraq."

2001 SPJ National Mark of Excellence:

National Finalist, Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication.

National Winner - Online Feature Reporting, Ruth Turner, "Breaking the cycle of delinquency: Therapy, talking, working schooling… and bobbing chicken heads.”

National Finalist - Online General News Reporting, Holli Gunnell, "USU student finds bacteria gene that repairs damage from sun.”

National Finalist - Online Opinion and Commentary, Leon D’Souza, "Is India falling through the Net?" "News analysis: Chaos is king in Afghanistan, and thus it ever was," "To counter terrorism, America needs a broader defense agenda."

2001 SPJ Region 9 Mark of Excellence:

First Place, Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication

Online Spot News Reporting:

First Place – Leon Paul D’Souza and Will Bettmann, "Ogden awaits word on possible anthrax contamination; governor urges vigilance and common sense."

Third Place - Leon Paul D’Souza and Will Bettmann, "USU Muslims condemn
terrorist attack."

Online General News Reporting:

First Place – Holli Gunnell, "USU student finds bacteria gene that repairs damage from sun."

Second Place – Leon Paul D’Souza and Will Bettmann, "Terrorists who attacked the United States not representative of Islam: Logan Muslims speak out."

Online Feature Reporting:

First Place – Ruth Turner, "Breaking the cycle of delinquency: Therapy, talking, working, schooling . . . and bobbing chicken heads."

Second Place – Marcie Young, "Night patrol: Loooong stretches of routine punctuated by moments of pure adrenaline."

Third Place – Elizabeth Scully, "Grandpa Still Rocks."

Online In-Depth Reporting:

Third Place – Marcie Young, "Movies' seductive lie tells men that to be real, they must be tough."

Online Opinion and Commentary:

First Place – Leon D’Souza, "Is India falling through the Net?," "News analysis: Chaos is king in Afghanistan, and thus it ever was," "To counter terrorism, America needs a broader defense agenda."

Second Place – Matthew Flitton, "Victory -- or is it just a cease-fire? -- declared in the dog poop war," "Banning tobacco is feasible and preferable to the continued slow march of death."

Third Place – Elizabeth Scully, "A pas de deux with Moonlight Buttress: Three days of flirting with eternity."