Cal Poly Journalism Recognized with National First-Place Awards

Cal Poly's student news organization, Mustang News, received multiple first-place awards and additional honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association.

Mustang News took home 16 national awards — including four first-place Pinnacle Awards — at the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association joint ACP/CMA National College Media Convention held late last year in Austin, Texas.

Olivia DeGennaro, now a reporter and producer for KRNV in Reno, Nev., won a first-place CMA Pinnacle Award for Best Investigative Story. The story, “Where is Kristin Smart?” explores the case of a Cal Poly student still missing after 19 years.

Joe Hewison, who hails from Woodland Hills, Calif., won a first-place CMA Pinnacle Award for Best Rate Card/Media Kit.

Mustang News staff members received CMA Pinnacle Awards for Best Viral Video, which featured professors reading aloud the mean student ratings they received, and Best Online Ad, for The Neighborhood, a local acai and juice bar.

Mustang News also won the following CMA Pinnacle Awards:

— Third place for Best Online Main Page

— Third place for Best Arts and Entertainment Story
— Third place for Best Breaking News Story

Staff members recognized with ACP Individual Awards include:
— Joe Hewison, second place, Rate Card/Media Kit

— Joe Hewison, third place, Ad Campaign
— Albert Chang, third place, House Ad

Honorable mentions were awarded for a Mustang News’ ad/editorial supplement and a display ad. Staff members were also recognized with four ACP Best in Show awards, from third to 10th place. The awards were in the categories of Best Website, Best Multimedia Package, Best Special Section, and Best Four-Year Newspaper.