Communication majors Woods, Rodriguez win SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards

A pair of Communication majors have won Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards for Region III.

Chris Woods, a senior, and Carlos Rodriguez, a junior, are the recipients from Augusta University. They won for articles in the Bell Ringer student newspaper during 2021.

Woods took first place in General News Reporting for a story titled “AU protestors call for mask mandate from BOR.” Here is Woods’ winning story: Woods’ article

Rodriguez was first place in Sports Writing for a story titled “Fan discovers USC Aiken given extra point in one-point victory over Jags.” Here is Rodriguez’s winning story: Rodriguez’s article

Bell Ringer journalists also won awards from the Georgia College Press Association and the Southern Regional Press Institute. Here is a breakdown of their awards:

Georgia College Press Association

Best Photo Essay, Second Place: Chris Woods, Augusta University.

Best Sports Story, Second Place: Carlos Rodriguez, Augusta University.

Best Feature Story, Third Place: Rakiyah Lenon, Augusta University.

Best News Article, Objective Reporting, Second Place: Chris Woods, Augusta University.

Best Sports Photography, Second Place: Justin Brosemer, Augusta University.

Southern Regional Press Institute 

Best News Photography, First Place—Chris Woods, “Augusta Remembers 9/11”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/photos-augusta-remembers-911-commemorates-fallen-heroes-with-memorial-and-5k-runwalk?rq=Augusta%20Remembers

Best Features Photography, Second Place—Carlos Rodriguez, “Dominant first-half performance”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/7hfrcn3vlyn08j5wfkqgdzqrwbwk52?rq=Dominant%20First%20Half%20Performance

Best Sports Story, Third Place—Carlos Rodriguez, “Blessing in disguise”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/blessing-in-disguise-cracknells-unexpected-season-turned-into-a-new-opportunity?rq=Cracknell

Best Sports Story, First Place—Chris Rickerson, “AU men’s basketball has academic scandal”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/au-mens-basketball-has-academic-scandal-players-still-positive-about-upcoming-season?rq=Cracknell

Best Features Story, First Place—Rakiyah Lenon, “Professor Bloodworth a teacher of students”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/professor-bloodworth-a-teacher-of-students?rq=Bloodworth

Best News Story, First Place—Chris Woods, “BOR changes post-tenure review: ‘Solving a problem that doesn’t exist,’ says AU professor”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/bor-changes-post-tenure-review-solving-a-problem-that-doesnt-exist-says-au-professor?rq=post-tenure%20review

Best Overall News Site, Third Place—The Bell Ringer (R. Lenon and C. Rodriguez):

https://www.aubellringer.com/