Student journalists earn most award finalists for SEJC's Best of the South contest

Logan Butts | 

SEJC 2021

College journalists representing 27 universities competed across 29 categories at the 34th annual Southeast Journalism Conference’s (SEJC) Best of the South Awards on Friday, and Lipscomb’s Department of Communication and Journalism earned 12 finalists, more than any other university in the competition. 

"Of the 27 universities that entered the contest, most were state universities, including a few SEC schools," said Lipscomb communication professor Dr. Jimmy McCollum. "I'm thrilled that students in the School of Communication can see that their work can stack up against anyone."

Six students were honored for their outstanding work that was published, aired, or distributed from November of 2020 through November of 2021. The university also earned overall awards for Lumination, the student-run news and television network, and The Bison, the student-run radio network. The individual and overall winners for Lipscomb include: 

  • Sam Phelan, First place, Best Radio Feature Reporter
  • Spencer Boehme, Third Place (tie), Best Television News Reporter

  • Hannah Cron, Sixth Place, Best Arts and Entertainment Writer

  • Hannah Cron, Seventh Place (tie), Best Photographer

  • Abby Davis, Third Place (tie), Best Television Feature Reporter

  • Camryn Given, Sixth Place (tie), Best Feature Writer

  • Danny Kotula, Seventh Place, Best Sports Writer

  • Lumination Radio / The Bison, First Place, Best Audio Newscast

  • Lumination Network, Fifth Place, Best Website

  • Lumination News, Second Place, Best Television Station

  • Lumination News, Fourth Place, Best Video Newscast

  • Lumination Radio / The Bison, Second Place, Best Radio Stat

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"Hannah Cron won two awards -- one in a category that is a passion of hers (Best Arts & Entertainment Writer) and one that she's quite new in (Best Photographer). It's exciting to see students discover new storytelling talents," McCollum said. 

Lumination Network is Lipscomb University’s official student news service comprised of student journalists from all majors who have a desire to submit various forms of media to be shared with the Lipscomb community. 

Lipscomb University’s Department of Communication and Journalism is housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. It offers undergraduate degree programs in public relations, journalism and new media, and advertising.