The Society of Professional Journalists announced last week the national winners of the 2010 Mark of Excellence Awards, recognizing collegiate work published or broadcast during 2010. Student journalists across the U.S. submitted nearly 4,000 entries, and Harding University student Henrique Ruiz was among the honorees.
Ruiz, a junior graphic design major from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was named a finalist in the Photo Illustration — Four-Year College/University Category for his entry submission, “I’m Real: The Faces of Breast Cancer.”
National Mark of Excellence Award judges chose one national winner in each category and two national finalists (runners-up). Winners and finalists were previously recognized by receiving first place in one of SPJ’s 12 regional competitions. Eight first-place regional winners advanced to the national competition.
One of the most prestigious honors for student journalists, the Mark of Excellence Awards honor the best in student journalism. Judges are not required to select first, second or third place winners.
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.
Harding had a record enrollment this year of more than 6,800 students from 49 states and 53 foreign countries. It is the largest private university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chilé, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia.
