Rockbridge Report earns national SPJ recognition

The Rockbridge Report, an online news site produced by students in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, has been recognized as one of the top three online student newspapers in the nation by the Society of Professional Journalists.

The multimedia Web site, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu, joined national winner The Lantern Online from Ohio State University and The Independent Florida Alligator at the top of SPJ's national 2005 Mark of Excellence Awards. The Lantern Online is produced by Ohio State’s journalism school. The Independent Florida Alligator serves the University of Florida community but is not affiliated with the university.

"We’re delighted SPJ recognized our efforts to serve the local citizens," Associate Professor Claudette Artwick said. Students in Artwick's advanced electronic journalism lab produce the Web site. The winning editions were produced in 2005 by Maria Ignatova, '06, Kaela Harmon, '05 and Christina Kolock, '05.

They coordinated multi-media coverage of the Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County community. Stories were produced by dozens of students in at least four other courses led by Artwick and journalism faculty members Bob de Maria, Doug Cumming and Pam Luecke and Digital Media Specialist Michael Todd. The Rockbridge Report’s broadcast edition is aired on local cable access Channel 18.

The Web site won its category earlier this year at the SPJ Region II competition. Other student work earned three regional second-place awards.