Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Mark of Excellence Awards honoring the best in student journalism. The awards offer 39 categories for print, radio, television, and online collegiate journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. Regional award winners will be honored at the spring regional conferences. First place regional winners are forwarded on to the national competition. National winners will be honored at the 2008 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Atlanta.

The contest is open to anyone enrolled in a college or university and studying for an academic degree in 2007. Students who have had full-time, professional journalism experience, outside of internships, are not eligible. Entries must have been published or broadcast during the 2007 calendar year. Complete details on the contest and entry forms may be found by visiting the Mark of Excellence Awards page.

Postmark deadline: January 23, 2008.

Please contact SPJ Programs Coordinator Heather Porter with any questions at (317) 927-8000, ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org.