Skip to main content

The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

West Virginia Uncovered recognized nationally for excellence in student journalism

Criss-crossing the back roads of West Virginia to uncover unique and untold stories has paid off for students at the WVU Reed College of Media.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recently recognized the College’s digital journalism project, West Virginia Uncovered, as a 2014 Mark of Excellence National Finalist in the Best Digital-Only Student Publication category.

“It’s very exciting for student work to be recognized at this level of achievement,” said Teaching Assistant Professor MaryKay McFarland, who coordinates the project. “I think one of the things that sets West Virginia Uncovered apart is its focus on state issues and stories that go beyond the WVU campus.”

In the year for which the publication was recognized, the students’ work included stories about shortfalls in educational funding for athletics in nearby counties, widespread corruption in Mingo County, the water crisis in Kanawha County, eco-friendly, entrepreneurial business development, and efforts to preserve Appalachian Old Time culture.

The SPJ awards honor the best in student journalism. National Mark of Excellence Award judges chose up to one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up). Judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of a national honor.

Winners and finalists were previously recognized by receiving first-place in one of the SPJ’s 12 regional competitions. Each first-place regional winner advanced to the national competition. The College’s West Virginia Uncovered project earned first place in Region 4, which is comprised of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and parts of western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh.

College of Media students also were named as finalists in several categories at the regional competition. Taylor Eaton was a finalist in two categories: Television News and Feature Photography for her story, “Morgantown garbage fines residents,” and Television General News Reporting for “Potholes in Morgantown.” Diane Jeanty and Tyler Mertins were finalists in the Online Feature Reporting category for their stories, “Geocaching finds a home in West Virginia tourism” and “Recycled clothing business brings jobs back home,” respectively. Nicole Linder was a finalist in the Television Breaking News Reporting category for her story, “Rachel Shoaf’s sentencing,” and Brandon Vansickel was a finalist in the Television Sports Reporting category for his story, “Game Day in Morgantown.”