(Mobile, Ala.) Spring Hill College Student Media was triumphant in the Catholic Media Association’s (CMA) 2024 St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards. The division racked up more historical wins with awards and individual honors on June 21, securing its brand of journalistic excellency.
The biggest association in the country committed to supporting advisers of college media, CMA, has a variety of award programs that spotlight outstanding individuals and organizations contributing to Catholic journalism, communications, and other forms of media. For students aspiring to be journalists and media professionals, the St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards competition is ideal. The program honors a lengthy set of journalistic skills and specialties, exposing the work of students to hundreds of communication professionals in North America.
The CMA praised all winners in a statement on its webpage. “Congratulations to this year’s award winners for their outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism and communications, and their unwavering commitment to the principles and ideals of our mission.”
As of 2024, SHC Student Media has four back-to-back wins in the “Excellence in Visual Storytelling” category. The 11-16-23 episode of Spring Hill Now placed first. The newscast also received an honorable mention for its 11-09-23 episode. Senior Fae Fox earned the third spot for her Donovan O’Malley feature story and an honorable mention for her piece on the Richards Center opening.
Senior Mya Falgout won “Journalist of the Year,” the first SHC student to do so. “When I first came to Spring Hill, I had no idea what I wanted to major in. After watching a live production of Spring Hill Now, I immediately knew what I wanted to be a part of,” she continued. “The communications professors truly care about their students, and their passion for journalism does not go unnoticed. Each class I take sparks my curiosity, and no doubt has given me the tools to become a better journalist.”
Garnering additional recognition from the CMA, Fox placed third in the “Journalist of the Year” category.
The CMA methodically selects judges with expert knowledge of Catholic media, including faculty from distinguished Catholic journalism schools. The experienced judges sustain the integrity of the evaluation process by treating entries as submissions to an editor or a communication director.
“Awards like these are no longer a surprise for SHC Student Media, which has climbed to a very high level in the last four to five years. Instructors Gary Wolverton and Bill Rowan have set a high standard, and our students are reaching for that standard daily,” Stuart Babington, division chair of communication, visual and performing arts, communication arts, voiced.
Award winners can use this CMA recognition to get a head start in marketing themselves to media and communication organizations. They’re able to embellish their resume with these accolades and possibly earn internships as an active student.
Follow the link to see other colleges and universities that were honored for their excellency in student and alumni media.
ABOUT SPRING HILL COLLEGE:
Founded in 1830, Spring Hill College is the oldest Catholic college in the Southeast and the third oldest Jesuit college in the United States. Spring Hill combines the Jesuit tradition of excellence in education and a commitment to caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit — with innovative educational experiences. Located in Mobile, Ala., Spring Hill’s mission is to form leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice, and service for life. As a result, Spring Hill students are engaged, inspired and transformed by their experiences.