The Independent won “First Place Best in Show” at the Associated Collegiate Press’ annual national convention in Portland, OR on March 11.
The Independent was competing against other 4-year institutions in North America that produce non-daily and non-weekly newspapers.
There are over 1,100 member student publications in the Associated Collegiate Press Association.
Independent Editor-in-Chief Patrick O’Brien said, “Though we do not have a journalism program, it is the diversity in age, experience and ethnicity that gives our paper a unique perspective and collective insight to put out what we hope is something that informs and empowers.”
O’Brien continued, “I believe our strength in writing and reporting has caught up to our innovations in design.”
This is the third national honor awarded to an Illinois newspaper in the last ten years and the only first place award to an Illinois college or university in the last ten years.
Editors and staffers from the Independent attended the three day conference attending seminars covering topics ranging from investigative reporting to computer assisted document searches to law and the Freedom of Information Act, writing critiques, design, photography and tips on how to land a job after graduation.
The Independent also recently received 13 awards for excellence in journalism from the Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) at their convention in Chicago last February. They have received 37 awards from the ICPA over the last three years.
Representatives at the national convention held in Portland included: Patrick O’Brien Editor-in-Chief, Amy Scoma Business Manager, Duncan Macnab Production Manager, Tom Robb News Editor, Mike Arch Entertainment Editor, Jo Cook Features Editor, Amanda Dalal Online Editor, David Mosher Production Editor, Teddy Chung Business Assistant and Rolando Ithier III, Staff Writer.