The Daily Kent Stater (DKS) received first place among college daily newspapers in the .
Presented collaboratively by (SPJ) Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland chapters, the awards honor journalists who fulfill the SPJ mission: defense of the First Amendment, support of literacy, resistance to censorship, advocacy for openness of public records and meetings, media self-criticism and community service.
The categories include publications with circulation of 75,000 or greater, publications with circulation of fewer than 75,000, radio, television, online, trade organizations, and colleges and universities.
The competition recognizes the best college daily and weekly newspapers, and awards up to $2,000 in scholarships for excellent student writing in news, feature, sports and opinion.
There were only 281 awards chosen from 570 entries. The entries were for work completed in 2013 and were judged by out-of-state SPJ chapters.
"I'm thrilled to see the 2013 Stater staffs — led by editors Leighann McGivern in spring and Lydia Coutre in fall — get this terrific recognition," said Mitch McKenney, associate professor and student media advisor.
The Daily Kent Stater will be honored at an awards banquet along with the other 2014 winners in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square theater district on October 25.