By Staff
DOWAGIAC -- The Southwester, the campus newspaper of Southwestern Michigan College, recently took nine awards in the Michigan Community College Press Association annual competition.
The Southwester earned second place for Best On-Line Newspaper and third place in Best Overall Newspaper.
First place awards were given to student photographers Yoon Lim of Niles for his sports photo "Intramural Hoops" and Aaron Foust of Niles for his photo essay "Perspectives in Drawing."
Lim also placed third for his news/feature photo "Blowing the Globe."
Joel Bonder of Granger, Ind., earned third place in the photo essay category for "Auto Shop."
Student writer Amy Ruiz of Niles took third place in the personality profile category for her article "Tough Photography Instructor."
Honorable Mentions were awarded to Josh Lindstedt of Niles for his review of the film "Road to Perdition" and Angie Faulkner of Edwardsburg for her article "Student Nurse Handles Code Blue."
The competition is held every spring for members of the MCCPA and is judged by journalists from newspaper members of the Michigan Press Association.
The Southwester has won numerous awards in the past, including Best Overall and Best On-Line newspaper. It is published monthly in SMC's fall and winter semesters.
Student contributors participate as part of courses in mass communications, writing for media and digital photography.
In addition, students from SMC's nursing program write monthly stories on health issues and feature stories on graduates of the program.
Other staff and faculty also contribute articles, columns and information. The paper is edited by Karen Neubauer, communications instructor, and coordinated by Fred Dodd, who is also a digital photography instructor.
"It's gratifying to have our students' work recognized for its excellence by professional journalists."