Vanderbilt University students were recognized with 34 awards at the fall 2023 National College Media Convention Oct. 29–Nov. 2 in Atlanta. The annual event, the nation’s largest gathering of collegiate journalists, media students and their advisers, is sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association.
The Vanderbilt Hustler took home a total of 28 national awards, including a record-breaking 20 College Media Association Pinnacle awards, three Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker awards, two ACP Best of Show awards and three Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence awards.
Other Vanderbilt Student Communications organizations were honored with six Pinnacle awards by the College Media Association.
“Vanderbilt’s rich tradition of student journalism and communications empowers our students to pursue free expression. The hands-on, immersive experiences they gain through Vanderbilt Student Communications sharpen their skills in creativity, leadership and intellectual inquiry and serve them well beyond their time on campus,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “I congratulate these students for all their hard work and for garnering this national recognition for the university.”
CMA Pinnacle Award recipients – The Vanderbilt Hustler
Best Web Sports Section – 1st place
Best Sports Columnist – 1st place
Bryce Smith
Best Sports Investigative Story – 1st place
Jayce Pollard
Best Column – 1st place
Zoe Abel
Best Multimedia Breaking News Story – 1st place
Rachael Perrotta, Katherine Oung and Abhinav Krishnan
Best Photo Package – 1st place
Barrie Barto, Nikita Rohila and Amelia Simpson
Best Investigative Story – 2nd place
Ekta Anand
Best Social Media Reporting – 2nd place
Katherine Oung, Lindsey Jorda and Rachael Perrotta
Best Portrait – 2nd place
Sara West
Best Sports Email Newsletter – 2nd place
Bryce Smith, The Vanderbilt Hustler Weekly Sports Report
Best General News Email Newsletter – 2nd place
Rachael Perrotta, The Vanderbilt Hustler Weekly Digest
Best Interactive Infographic – 3rd place
Katherine Oung
Best Editorial – 3rd place
Rachael Perrotta
Best Sports Feature – 3rd place
Bryce Smith and Jonah Barbin
Best Overall Campus Media Engagement – 3rd place
Aaditi Lele and Brina Ratangee
Best Podcast – Honorable Mention
Jaylan Sims
Best Breaking News Coverage (package) – Honorable Mention
Katherine Oung, Aaditi Lele, Barrie Barto and Rachael Perrotta
Best Coverage of Faith – Honorable Mention
Jacob Stoebner
Best Enterprise Coverage of Diversity – Honorable Mention
Sally Johnson
Best Multimedia Feature Story – Honorable Mention
Katherine Oung, Aaditi Lele and Lexie Perez
ACP Pacemaker Award recipients – The Vanderbilt Hustler
Best Column – 2nd place
Zoe Abel
Best Multimedia News Story – 2nd place
Katherine Oung, Aaditi Lele and Lexie Perez
Reporter of the Year – 3rd place
Katherine Oung
ACP Best of Show Award recipients – The Vanderbilt Hustler
Best Website – 2nd place
The Vanderbilt Hustler
Best Email Newsletter – 6th place
The Vanderbilt Hustler
SPJ Mark of Excellence Award recipients – The Vanderbilt Hustler
General News Reporting (large school) – National Winner
Rachael Perrotta, Katherine Oung, Aaditi Lele, Alison Winters and Charlotte Mauger
Editorials – National Finalist
Zoe Abel
Sports Column Writing – National Finalist
Bryce Smith
CMA Pinnacle Award recipients – other VSC organizations
Literary Magazine of the Year – 2nd place
The Vanderbilt Review
Radio Station of the Year – 2nd place
VandyRadio
Best Audio Talk/Entertainment Program – 2nd place
Erica Lutz, VandyRadio
Best Audio Promo/PSA – 3rd place
Cameron Lenkov and Terrie Jeon, VandyRadio
Best Audio Newscast – Honorable Mention
Jaylan Sims, VandyRadio
Best Video Entertainment Program – Honorable Mention
Noah Weitzel, Devin Laye and Stephan Bellamy, VVP