Richarde M. Talbot(talborm@mail.auburn.edu)

AUBURN STUDENT NEWSPAPER TAKES 'SWEEPSTAKES' AWARD

AUBURN ­ Student journalists on staff with Auburn University's student newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman, were major players in the Society of Professional Journalists regional competition, earning the Sweepstakes Award and several Mark of Excellence Awards.

Greg Walker, a senior journalism major from Demopolis and The Plainsman managing editor, said the winning staff was the best in the four years he's been with the paper.

"We have so much different talent here and when it all comes together, I don't want to brag, but you can't help but win awards," he said. "I think this year, more than any other, we've had the best staff working together. I'm really proud of them all."

First place awards went to J. Thurston, a senior art major from Madison, for editorial cartoons; Walker, for editorial writing; Jim Alred, who is now the sports editor for the Selma Times-Journal in Selma; and Jeremy Holloman, a junior journalism major from Auburn, for spot news reporting; and Walker for spot news photography. D.J. Bonds, a senior journalism major from Newnan, Ga., took second place for spot news photography; and staff writers Eric Kammerud, a senior journalism major from Huntsville; Tamara Moser, a senior majoring in apparel merchandising, production management from Merritt Island, Fla.; and Walker earned third place for in-depth reporting.

The Plainsman received first place for best all-around non-daily student newspaper.

Judges said of Alred and Holloman's reporting of the Sports Arena fire last year: "Well-reported, well-organized story on fire at Auburn's historic sports arena, covered all bases. Reporters took extra effort to talk not only to fire and police sources but also to fans who witnessed the fire and athletes affected by it. Nice work getting the history of the building into the story." Walker's winning photo was also about the fire and judges said, "You can almost feel the heat of the burning building from the glowing image."

First-place winners go on to the national competition in October. Walker said he will be pleased to see the paper make a strong showing in that competition, but he is looking forward to the Pacemaker Awards. The Plainsman has gleaned more Pacemaker Awards during the past 25 years than almost any other student newspaper. Only the Daily Kansan from the University of Kansas and MATC Times of the Milwaukee Area Technical College have earned more awards.