Monday, September 28, 2009

50 awards this year for BJ newsroom

Despite severe personnel cutbacks in the newsroom, the Beacon Journal has won at least 50 awards this year in national, state and other contests. At my request, BJ Managing Editor Doug Oplinger, the best advocate that John Deere ever had, has provided me with a list. The charge has been led by David Knox, David Giffels and Betty Lin-Fisher.

Beacon Journal Newsroom contest winners for 2008

Name Contest Place Category Notes
Staff Scripps Howard Foundation Finalist Public service reporting American Dream
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David Lee Morgan Jr. Ohio Prep Sports Wrtiers Association First Writer of the year
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Staff National Headliner Awards Second Journalistic innovation American Dream
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Staff SABEW Best Projects American Dream
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Mike Rasnor APSO Third Blogger
Mark J. Price APSO Third Best headline writer
Betty Lin-Fisher APSO Honorable Best business writer
Rick Armon APSO Third Best business writer
Rick Steinhauser APSO First Best graphic artist
Marla Ridenour APSO Third Best sports feature writer
David Giffels APSO First Best news writer
Ed Suba Jr. APSO First Best feature photo
Rick Armon APSO Second Best explanatory reporting
Staff APSO First Best community service American Dream
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Lisa Abraham Association of Food Journalists Finalist Best newspaper food column
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Bob Dyer National Society of Newspaper Columnists Third Notes/items
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Staff Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism First series/project American Dream
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Phil Trexler Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Breaking news Bobby Cutts trial
Rick Armon Ohio Excellence in Journalism First General news Losing our home
Betty Lin-Fisher Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Columns-Business Challenge yourself
Rich Heldenfels Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Reviews/criticism single article Other side of Polanski case
David Giffels Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Best in Ohio: Essays
Mark Turner Ohio Excellence in Journalism First News front page design Front page news design
Staff Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Spread/multiple page design Reclaim the Dream
Staff, ABJ, Ohio.com Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Best Web site in Ohio
Lisa Abraham Ohio Excellence in Journalism First Columns-Lifestyle A taste of tradition
Mike Cardew Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Sports action Sole Sister
Ed Suba Jr. Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Sports feature Game Winner
Ed Suba Jr. Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second General feature A mother wait
Mike Cardew Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Portrait Freedom
Staff Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Public service American Dream
Stephanie Warsmith and Dennis Willard Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Investigative OSU ticket scandal
Ohio.com, Akron Beacon Journal Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Newspaper web site design Ohio.com
Tracy Wheeler Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Medical/health writing Stem cells mature
Lisa Abraham Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Columns-Lifestyle World pasta day
Dave Scott Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Headline writing Billy Goat's owner is still on the lam
Rich Heldenfels Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Best in Ohio: Reviews/Criticism
Kim Barth, Ed Suba, Mark Turner Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Spread/multiple page design Middle Class Health Care
Dennis Willard Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Best in Ohio: Column writing
Elissa Murray Ohio Excellence in Journalism Second Best in Ohio: Headline writing
Ohio.com, Akron Beacon Journal Ohio SPJ First Best of Show: General News Site
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Bob Downing Ohio SPJ First Best newsmaker profile An American Hero (John Seiberling)
Bob Dyer Ohio SPJ First Best columnist in Ohio Body of work
Paula Schleis Ohio SPJ Second Best business profile A Barber in Barberton
Rick Armon Ohio SPJ Second Best explanatory journalism Losing our home
Stephanie Warsmith and Rick Armon Ohio SPJ Second Best government reporting Fight for control of Summit GOP
Dennis Willard Ohio SPJ Second Best media criticism OSU tickets
Bob Downing and Stephanie Warsmith Ohio SPJ Second Best newsmaker profile Ralph Regula
Dennis Willard Ohio SPJ Second Best political commentary Body of work
Dennis Willard and Stephanie Warsmith Ohio SPJ Second Best public records use OSU tickets
Staff Ohio SPJ Second Best public service journalism American Dream

Well done, guys, under some very difficult circumstances. I know that the BJ won four Pulitzers during my 26 years there, with Doug and then-ME Larry Williams being the main reason for the Pulitzer over the Goldsmith Goodyear greenmail ugliness that still is costly to the Akron business scene, but we had John S. Knight and a much fuller newsroom.

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