April 30, 2015

The Commonwealth Times wins 10 VPA awards

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By Blake Birdwell

The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University’s independent, student-run newspaper, won 10 awards for journalistic excellence at the Virginia Press Association’s annual journalism awards banquet on April 18 in Roanoke. 

For the second year, The Commonwealth Times competed in the small, nondaily newspapers category, rather than against other university publications. The paper received four first-place awards and swept the illustrations category. 

“I am delighted to note that Keith Pfeiffer's winning illustration was awarded the Best in Show over every other illustration from nondaily newspapers in the state,” said Gregory O. Weatherford, student media director. 

The Commonwealth Times 2015 awardees included:.

·        Illustrations: Keith Pfeiffer, “ISIS contradicts Islam” (first place); Chris Kindred, “Voting for lower college costs” (second place); Chris Kindred, “An indictment of our nation” (third place). 

·        Informational graphics: Kayla Seabridge, “Forcible sex offenses” (second place). 

·        General news photo: Audry Dubon, “Students protest Michael Brown shooting” (first place). 

·        Lifestyle or entertainment pages: staff, “the Commonwealth Times Spectrum Pages” (third place). 

·        Page design: Anya Shcherbakova, “Page design Anya Shcherbakova” (first place). 

·        Special sections or special editions: staff, “the Commonwealth Times Basketball Edition” (third         place). 

·        Sports pages: staff, “the Commonwealth Times Sports Pages” (third place). 

·        Sports column writing: Colin Kennedy, “Weber’s style of play epitomizes VCU” (first place). 

Additionally, the VPA handed out awards for best in show, sweepstakes, journalistic integrity, community service, most outstanding journalist, young journalist, sales professional and young sales professional. 

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