Academics

Twenty Penn State entries selected as SPJ regional finalists

"Centre County Report in Puerto Rico" was one of 20 regional finalists by Penn State students in the Society of Professional Journalists' Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Twenty entries from Penn State students were selected as regional finalists in the Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards.
Winners of the competition, part of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence, will be announced March 20-21 during the region’s spring conference.
Penn State’s finalists, two group efforts and 18 individuals, are:

  • Centre County Report in Puerto Rico” — Best All-Around TV News Magazine
  • “Centre County Report” — Best All-Around TV Newscast
  • Danielle Dindak — TV Feature Reporting
  • Jillian Ford — TV In-Depth Reporting
  • Brandon Pelter — TV Sports Reporting
  • Courtney Guiry — Broadcast News Videography
  • Will Desautelle — Broadcast Sports Videography
  • Eric Johnson — Broadcast News Videography
  • Clair Going — Online/Digital Feature Videography
  • Maria Valdisera — Online/Digital Feature Videography
  • Matt Lingerman — Online/Digital Sports Videography
  • Tyler King — Online Sports Reporting
  • Allison Rambler — General News Photography
  • Ken Minamoto – Feature Photography
  • James Leavy — Sports Photography
  • Caitlin Lee – Sports Photography
  • Noah Riffe — Sports Photography
  • Elena Rose – In-Depth Reporting
  • David Eckert – Online Sports Reporting
  • Will Derry – Podcast

Top finishers from each of SPJ’s 12 regions then advance to the national competition.

Last Updated June 2, 2021