Bell Ringer staff members win journalism awards, led by Rodriguez, Woods with SPJ Mark of Excellence

Staff report

A pair of Bell Ringer staffers have won Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards for Region III.

Chris Woods, a senior, and Carlos Rodriguez, a junior, are the recipients from Augusta University. They won for articles in the Bell Ringer student newspaper during 2021.

Woods took first place in General News Reporting for a story titled "AU protestors call for mask mandate from BOR." Here is Woods' winning story: Woods' article

Rodriguez took first place in Sports Writing for a story titled "Fan discovers USC Aiken given extra point in one-point victory over Jags." Here is Rodriguez's winning story: Rodriguez's article

Both Woods and Rodriguez are Communication majors.

The Bell Ringer competes in the same region as universities in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes major student news outlets such as the Red & Black at UGa., the Independent Florida Alligator at the University of Florida and the Crimson White at the University of Alabama.

Bell Ringer journalists also won awards from the Georgia College Press Association and the Southern Regional Press Institute. Also winning awards for the Bell Ringer for 2021 were Rakiyah Lenon, who along with Rodriguez serves as co-editor in chief of the student newspaper; Chris Rickerson, sports editor; and Justin Brosemer, who transferred to the University of Georgia last fall and had been in a sports writer for the AU student newspaper in spring 2021.

Dylan Wilson served as Bell Ringer adviser in spring 2021 and Rachel Balducci in fall 2021.

Here is a breakdown of Bell Ringer staff members’ awards covering stories in 2021:

Georgia College Press Association

Best Photo Essay, Second Place: Chris Woods, Augusta University.

Best Sports Story, Second Place: Carlos Rodriguez, Augusta University.

Best Feature Story, Third Place: Rakiyah Lenon, Augusta University.

Best News Article, Objective Reporting, Second Place: Chris Woods, Augusta University.

Best Sports Photography, Second Place: Justin Brosemer, Augusta University.

Southern Regional Press Institute 

Best News Photography, First Place—Chris Woods, “Augusta Remembers 9/11”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/photos-augusta-remembers-911-commemorates-fallen-heroes-with-memorial-and-5k-runwalk?rq=Augusta%20Remembers

Best Features Photography, Second Place—Carlos Rodriguez, “Dominant first-half performance”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/7hfrcn3vlyn08j5wfkqgdzqrwbwk52?rq=Dominant%20First%20Half%20Performance

Best Sports Story, Third Place—Carlos Rodriguez, “Blessing in disguise”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/blessing-in-disguise-cracknells-unexpected-season-turned-into-a-new-opportunity?rq=Cracknell

Best Sports Story, First Place—Chris Rickerson, “AU men’s basketball has academic scandal”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/au-mens-basketball-has-academic-scandal-players-still-positive-about-upcoming-season?rq=Cracknell

Best Features Story, First Place—Rakiyah Lenon, “Professor Bloodworth a teacher of students”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/professor-bloodworth-a-teacher-of-students?rq=Bloodworth

Best News Story, First Place—Chris Woods, “BOR changes post-tenure review: ‘Solving a problem that doesn’t exist,’ says AU professor”:

https://www.aubellringer.com/write-stories-here/bor-changes-post-tenure-review-solving-a-problem-that-doesnt-exist-says-au-professor?rq=post-tenure%20review

Best Overall News Site, Third Place—The Bell Ringer (R. Lenon and C. Rodriguez):

https://www.aubellringer.com/

Note: At the top of the page, Carlos Rodriguez is a junior and co-editor in chief of the Bell Ringer. (photo courtesy of AU DCM)