Excellence in Journalism

April 24, 2015

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Patriot Talon, Adviser at UT Tyler Recognized for Excellence in Journalism by Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

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April 24, 2015

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

April 24, 2015

Students on the Patriot Talon staff at The University of Texas at Tyler received 33 awards at the 2015 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention, Dr. Dennis Cali, UT Tyler Department of Communication chair, announced.

The annual convention is an opportunity for student journalists to compete in on-site competitions and be recognized for work from previous publications.

The Talon staff received “Best of Show” in Div. II, one of five divisions. They also received “Best Website Navigation” and an honorable mention for “Best Online Interactivity” in Div. II as well as third place in “Overall Excellence” in Div. III.

In addition, Talon adviser Kevin Dilley was named the 2015 Charles T. “Chuck” Choate Memorial Adviser of the Year. TIPA annually selects an adviser to receive this honor, and advisers must have at least three years of service at a TIPA member institution to be considered.

“I’m very honored to be chosen for this recognition,” said Dilley, who also serves as a senior lecturer within the department. “I share this award with Bonnie Davis, who put together the nomination and who does such a great job as the Talon business coordinator that I am able to focus more on advising. Also, this award really belongs to the students who do excellent journalism and in the end make me look good.”

In on-site competitions, where all students compete despite school enrollment and publication schedule, Patriot Talon sports editor Nathan Wright of San Angelo placed first in print sports writing, Patriot Talon photo editor Erin Hicks of Tyler, placed third for feature photo and received Honorable Mention for news photography, and print managing editor Hannah Root of Tyler placed third in headline writing.

Wright also received one of two Frank Buckley Scholarships. TIPA awards these scholarships each year to deserving students from four-year institutions.

Awards won by the Patriot Talon staff in Div. III for previously published content were:

• Morgan Jones of Chandler – first place, newspaper page one design; second place, newspaper photo illustration; and third place, general magazine feature photo

• Jones and Austin Countryman of Grand Saline – third place, general magazine overall design

• Becky Dixon of Chandler – honorable mention, newspaper news feature story

• Wright – honorable mention, newspaper sports action photo and sports news story

• Bryan Savens of Cedar Park– honorable mention, newspaper headline; and honorable mention, general magazine general news photo

• Daniel Pierce of Longview – honorable mention, newspaper sports feature photo

• M.K. Northum of Longview – second place, newspaper illustration – non-photo; and second place, newspaper editorial cartoon

• Samantha Copus of Longview– second place, newspaper feature story

• Gerardo Martinez of Sulphur Springs – third place, online best video package

• Nizia Alam of Tyler and Gerardo Martinez of Tyler – first place, online multimedia package

• Antwanise Jackson of Streetman – first place, newspaper op/ed page design; first place, newspaper single subject design; and first place, newspaper general column

• Misty Butler of Whitehouse – second place, newspaper news feature story; honorable mention, newspaper feature page design; and honorable mention general magazine feature story

• Alec Bryant of Paris – third place, newspaper ad design

• Erin Hicks of Tyler – honorable mention, newspaper news photo

The Patriot Talon, the student-run media outlet at UT Tyler, is designed to inform, entertain, educate and heighten awareness of students, faculty, staff and administrators at the university.

For more information, call 903.566.7253.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.

Excellence in Journalism:UT Tyler students and Patriot Talon student media outlet adviser Kevin Dilley (also pictured with his award) pose for a photo during the 2015 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention. From back: Alec Bryant, Austin Countryman, Talon adviser Kevin Dilley and Nick Rackley. Zak Wellerman, Victoria Vorsas and Erin Hicks. Antwanise Jackson, Misty Butler and Nathan Wright. In front: Whitley Crawford, Hannah Root, Nizia Alam and Gerardo Martinez. The Patriot Talon staff won 33 award during this year's TIPA convention.