IU brought home an overall second place in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s Intercollegiate Writing Competition. The prestigious program grants scholarships to students for exceptional performance in college-level journalism categories.
With many of IU’s participants being involved in the Indiana Daily Student, they have accumulated tremendous growth in their journalism in preparation for the competition. The three students whose wins earned IU a cumulative second place all wrote their selected pieces for the IDS.
“The IDS has long served as a hotbed for upcoming talent in journalism throughout its existence,” as Luke Christopher Norton, summer editor-in-chief, says, “and it continues to do so with yearly top finishes in the Hearst Competition.”
Emily Isaacman placed fifth in Hearst’s Investigative Reporting bracket for “A concerning pattern,” her inquiry into claims of sexual harassment against former IU associate professor Murray McGibbon, and Lilly St. Angelo came in fourth place in Personality/Profile Writing for “What wasn't said,” which depicts student Alice Aluko’s reality of encountering racism at IU.
Senior Caleb Coffman won the Sports Writing category of this year's competition out of 123 entries. His story, “The General’s Shadow: How author John Feinstein survived a year with Bob Knight,” explores the sportswriter’s coverage of Bob Knight and his basketball program.
“It was a tremendous honor winning the sports writing category for the Hearst Competition,” Coffman said. “I can’t thank everyone at the IDS and my professors who helped me with the article. It’s also great to see the IDS come in 2nd place overall and once again showcase how many great journalists we have on staff.”
Coffman is going on to participate in the Hearst National Writing Championship Finals in June, and he spoke of his excitement and how he hopes to continue the IDS’ run of doing well in the competition.
Hearst Writing Competition Overall Awards
2nd place: Indiana University
Hearst Writing Competition Individual Awards
Investigative Reporting
5th place: Emily Isaacman || A concerning pattern
Sports Writing
1st place: Caleb Coffman || The General’s Shadow: How author John Feinstein survived a year with Bob Knight
Personality/Profile Writing
4th place: Lilly St. Angelo || What wasn't said
