WWU student journalists win top international award
The Western Washington University student journalists behind Klipsun magazine took home the award for the top student-produced magazine at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication conference over the summer.
“Language,” the spring edition of Klipsun, “covered critical topics with poise, clarity and punch,” said judges in the AEJMC Student Magazine Contest.
The contest drew entries from 22 universities in the U.S. and Canada. Runners up for general excellence in magazines were produced by students at Toronto Metropolitan University, Kent State University, University of Oregon and Syracuse University.
The Klipsun spring edition includes a wide variety of topics, from an exploration of the work of the Whatcom Literacy Council to a first-person essay about how knowledge of Spanish affects Latino identity.
“You were as inclusive as the theme demands,” the judges wrote. “Some really excellent headlines, some beautiful imagery and well done making this of interest and importance to people who aren’t journalists.”
Julieta Larios’s piece on language and cultural identity, “And so what if I am ‘no sabo?’” also won the top award in the essay category. The judge said Larios’s work, which paired insightful personal reflection and extensive reporting, “reached or exceeded what many seasoned prize-winning journalists and writers can manage.”
Judges also complimented Editor-in-Chief Sophie Cadran’s editor’s letter, explaining the issue’s theme.
“Language is often treated as something that separates us,” Cadran wrote. “But what I hope you’ll come to understand from this edition is that language stretches far beyond the binary of spoken words that are or aren’t shared. It’s our history, our culture, our identity and source of connection — overlapping in ways far beyond the barriers and borders the world puts between us.”
Turning 57 this fall, Klipsun is an independent student magazine specializing in narrative storytelling and is affiliated with the Department of Journalism, Public Relations & Multimedia. Students from any department may submit work to Klipsun and other student publications.
In addition to Cadran, the award-winning staff included Managing Editor Charlie Nunes, who was editor in chief for the Klipsun issue that will be distributed this fall; story editors Abby Milton, Allie Van Parys, Mary D'Arcy and Claire Mayne; copy editor Sean Lynch; designers Grace Matson and Tom Dundas and illustrator Royce Alton.
“This Klipsun team — experienced editors and writers alike — worked hard to produce a great issue that covered current events, history, social issues, personal stories and art,” said Klipsun advisor and Associate Professor Peggy Watt. “Their mission is to create an issue that speaks to the campus community and beyond, and they nailed it. I am delighted that they received this well-deserved recognition and hope it inspires next year's writers and editors.”
Mary Gallagher covers Western’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences and interdisciplinary centers for WWU Communications and edits Western Today, Window magazine and the Family Connection Newsletter. Email her story ideas at mary.gallagher@wwu.edu.