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Pepperdine Student Publications Win Statewide Journalism Awards 

Pepperdine University student publications Graphic newspaper and Currents magazine were honored with six awards in an annual statewide newspaper competition sponsored by the California College Media Association. More than 100 people were present at the awards banquet held on Saturday, April 28, at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif.

A total of 568 individual entries were received from 22 four-year schools across the state. Students competed in 33 categories and six divisions: daily, weekly, and less-often-than-weekly newspapers; magazines; web sites; and advertising. Judging the competition were 24 representatives from the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange County Register, and Sacramento Bee.

The Graphic, entered in the weekly newspaper division, took First Place in Best Overall Design, highlighting its clean structure and consistently creative design layout. The newspaper also received Third Place in General Newspaper Excellence, an award that encompasses all aspects of a newspaper, including style, editing, and reporting.

Individual Graphic staff members were also acknowledged at the ceremony. News editor Shannon Kelly received First Place in the Best News Series category, editor-in-chief Airan Scruby took Third Place in the Best Headline Portfolio, and sports editor Jane Lee was given Honorable Mention for Best Sports Story.

Currents was recognized in the magazine category, winning Third Place in General Excellence. Like the General Newspaper Excellence award, this honor recognizes the numerous elements of the publication.

“The students have done some fine work this semester,” said director of student journalism Michael Murrie. “Some of it was among the best college journalism I’ve seen in my career. Sometimes amid television and online repackaging I worry about whether the skill of reporting will thrive, but if these students are representative of the next generation of reporters, I don’t have much to worry about.”