Society of Professional Journalists 2023 Student Awards

The Society of Professional Journalists annually recognize the best in student journalism with the Mark of Excellence Awards. In 2023, UNC Hussman students and alumni brought home 17 awards for their outstanding work in reporting, writing and multimedia storytelling. The following is a list of winners from UNC Hussman and their prize-winning pieces. 

National winners

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Carolina Connection – Feb. 25, 2023
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Podcast (Conversational)
‘We’re human beings’: Homeless Chapel Hill residents ask for kindness, respect
William Christensen ’23, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Carolina Week Special 2023
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

National finalists

Sports Writing, Large School Division
50 years later, the 1973 Guilford men’s basketball team reminisces on their NAIA title — by Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23, UNC

Radio Feature
The Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count is part recreation, part science — by Brianna Atkinson ’23, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

region 2 – winners and finalists

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Carolina Week — by Staff, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Finalist: Carolina Week — by Staff, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: When Reagan Smith started wrestling in middle school, she was the only girl — by Olivia Mundorf ’23, UNC Media Hub, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Finalist: A paralympic swimmer’s two-part race against time — by Isabella Geskos ’24, UNC Media Hub, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television In-Depth Reporting
Finalist: Deadly shooting investigation — by Steven Schlink ’24, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Television General News Reporting
Winner: The impact of social media — by Muhsin Mahmud ’24, Carolina Week, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Carolina Connection — by Staff, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Continuing coverage: Campus shooting and lockdowns — by Staff, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Drink-friendly ‘social districts’ are spreading across North Carolina — by Sophie Mallinson ’23, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Radio Feature
Winner: The Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count is part recreation, part science — by Brianna Atkinson ’23, Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Finalist: She saw her mother get murdered; now she works to protect families — by Shelby Swanson ’25, UNC Media Hub, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: Chasing a mystery: Why was his family in a WWII detention camp in Asheville, NC? — by Mika Travis ’24, UNC Media Hub, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: 50 years later, the 1973 Guilford men’s basketball team reminisces on their NAIA title — by Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23, UNC Media Hub, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill