The Daily Bruin was named Best All-Around Daily Newspaper by the
Society of Professional Journalists in its annual student
journalism awards, beating out other student publications across
the country and emerging with recognition as the best collegiate
newspaper in the nation.
The top honor for daily student newspapers was awarded to The
Bruin by SPJ on Sept. 11 in New York City as a part of the
journalism organization’s 2004 Mark of Excellence awards. The
society received more than 3,200 entries in 45 different
categories.
“This was the most competitive (Mark of Excellence)
contest in history,” said Guy Baehr, chairman of SPJ’s
awards and honors committee, in a statement.
“More than ever, these awards are honoring the best of the
best,” Baehr said in the statement.
Arvli Ward, director of UCLA Student Media, said he was
“really proud” of the newspaper’s staff after
hearing The Bruin had won.
“To be acknowledged by the industry that we draw our
values from and build our programs to try and serve, that means
something,” Ward said.
Kelly Rayburn, last year’s editor in chief, also said he
was pleased that The Bruin was recognized for its efforts.
“To be named best in the nation is something really
special, and I think the Daily Bruin and UCLA as a whole should be
proud that the campus has such a great newspaper,” Rayburn
said.
The Bruin had won other awards earlier in the year, including
two best-in-state awards: one from the California College Media
Association for best collegiate daily and another from the
California Newspaper Publishers Association for best four-year
university paper.
In another national award, the Associated Collegiate Press also
named The Bruin newspaper of the year.
Rayburn said SPJ’s national award stands out from a
similar one from the ACP because only newspapers that attended
scheduled ACP conferences were eligible for those awards, whereas
any paper could enter for the SPJ awards without having to attend a
conference. This created more competition because there were more
papers that applied and were in the running for the SPJ’s
award.
“It’s important for the readers of the Daily Bruin
to know how hard the staff works for them. This award reflects
that, and I hope the campus is proud of us,” Rayburn
said.
To advance to the national competition, The Bruin won first
place for best daily newspaper in the Western region, which
includes California, Nevada and Arizona.
In the finals for the national competition, The Bruin beat out
Indiana University’s Daily Student and Pennsylvania
State’s Daily Collegian to claim the top prize.
Other categories included awards for television, radio and
online journalism.
Bruin staff writer Bruce Tran also won an award in the category
for best sports writing for his feature “Riding it
Out,” which detailed the story of UCLA tight end Keith
Carter’s recovery from a life-changing motorcycle accident in
spring of 2003.