Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University students won 20 awards through the Indiana Collegiate Press Association (ICPA) for work published in the Indiana Statesman newspaper and The Sycamore yearbook. 

The annual award program was held at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on April 8.

The Sycamore yearbook won three first-place awards, five second-place awards, and a third-place award in the ICPA's Yearbook Division 2 for the 2015-16 publication.

Jon Garcia won first place in Best News Photography and Best Feature Photography. Garcia won first and second in Best Sports Photography. The Sycamore staff won second place for Yearbook of the Year, Best Student Life Spread, Best Sports Spread, and Best Special Section. Holly Swick and Nikki Jones placed third in Overall Best Design.

"This is the first year the yearbook has won first-place awards," said Martha Milner, director of student publications. "We came in second place in Yearbook of the Year. In the past, we've gotten third place, so it's nice to see the yearbook improving."

The ICPA's newspaper competition is divided into two categories: editorial and advertising.

In the editorial category, the Statesman placed third in Best Overall Design. Kylie Adkins placed third in Best Opinion Column.

The Indiana Statesman won nine awards for their advertising work. Kylee Bledsoe placed second in Best Use of Photography or Graphic Art, and Best Ad Design in Special Section or Supplement. Josh Lewis and Bledsoe also won second place for Best Rate Card. Becca McGregor placed second in Best General Media Kit/Marketing Package. McGregor placed third in Best House Ad, Best General Media Kit/Marketing Package, Best Full Color House Ad, and Best Ad Design in Special Section or Supplement.

"Last year, the Statesman editorial side won more awards and advertising didn't win as much last year," Milner said. "In the advertising category, the Indiana Statesman competes against all the papers in the ICPA in which there are about 20."

In the editorial category, State's newspaper is in the same category as the newspapers at Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame and Ball State University.

"We are up against some steep competition, and that's what makes these awards even more significant," Milner said. "The IU paper is one of the best papers in the country, so to compete and win is pretty significant."

The newspaper and yearbook staff won these awards by working hard and having a passion for student publications.

"People who work hard, practice their craft, and put a lot of effort into it will eventually have a good chance at winning awards," said Milner. "Winning shows that you've competed and you have achieved a certain amount of excellence which is something to be proud of."

Students interested in joining the newspaper or yearbook do not necessarily need to have experience to begin working.

"We like to hire people with experience, but we do a lot of on-the-job training," said Milner. "What is so interesting about Student Media as a whole is that we will take people from all academic programs, not just communication, because we want to give all students an opportunity to grow in their media knowledge."

ICPA was founded in Terre Haute in 1957 with the goal of providing college students journalism resources from faculty, professional, and statewide peers. Today, ICPA has over 40 member publications which includes yearbooks, newspapers, online publications, magazines, and literary magazines.

Contact: Morgan Gallas, strategic communication specialist, ISU Student Media, (219) 246-1805 or mgallas@sycamores.indstate.edu