The Jambar was honored for having the best news coverage for the 2017-18 academic school year among college newspapers in Ohio.
The award was given by members of the Ohio News Media Association, one of the state’s largest and most influential groups of journalists, at its 2019 convention at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.
The Collegiate Awards are one of the most rigorous competitions in college journalism because for many of the categories, including Best News Coverage, the judges make their choices based on an entire section of stories such as a news section, instead of a single story or page of stories.
In winning Best News Coverage, The Jambar beat out seven other Ohio universities, including Ohio University and The Ohio State University, both of which have large journalism programs and newspapers.
“It’s all about working hard, being fair and telling people what they need to know,” said Dave Davis, journalism lecturer and faculty adviser. “That’s what our students do. That’s what this shows.”
The Jambar winners were:
- News Coverage: Morgan Petronelli, Rachel Gobep and Jambar Staff, first place
- In-Depth Reporting: Jordan Unger, YO Magazine, second place
- Sports Coverage: Marc Weems, Jambar Sports Staff, second place
- Photojournalism: Tanner Mondok, second place
- Best Multimedia Package: Rachel Gobep, third place
Following the awards ceremony and lunch, newly elected Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave the convention keynote address. The Ohio News Media Association, founded in 1933 and a strong advocate for state open records, represents the state’s professional print and digital publications.
Jambar staff receiving ONMA Collegiate Awards included, from left: Morgan Petronelli, Jambar editor-in-chief and senior journalism major; Rachel Gobep, Jambar managing editor and junior journalism, broadcast and digital media track major; Jordan Unger, May 2018 YSU graduate, journalism, production assistant at WKBN; Tanner Mondok, Jambar photo editor and senior journalism major; Not pictured: Marc Weems, former Jambar sports editor and senior journalism major.
