SXU Student Newspaper Takes Home Multiple Honors at ICPA Awards
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) student-run newspaper, The Xavierite, recently took home several honors at the 2024 Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) Awards. The team won first place for "Best Editorial," second place for "Best Website," and second place for "Best News Photo,”"along with several honorable mentions.
ICPA member schools can nominate their student journalists for awards in 29 categories each year, including editorials, graphic illustrations, advertisements, podcasts, newsletters, and more. Categories are judged by professional journalists across Illinois and other parts of the country. Participating schools are asked to submit entries of the highest quality.
"These awards are recognition of all the hard work and dedication the students have put into the paper over the last few years. I'm incredibly proud of everyone on the staff," said Peter Kreten, director of Student Media.
Though The Xavierite team hadn't submitted entries in several years, they were proud of how their work has improved over the past few years and looked forward to learning how they might compare with their peers throughout the state.
Kreten is proud of the students' passion and believes they understand the importance journalism plays in larger society. His goal is to continue building on their success to help make The Xavierite the best student newspaper it can possibly be – and it's already on an upward trajectory thanks to its stellar student staff.
"The Xavierite hasn't been to the ICPA Awards in several years and hasn't won since 2008, so to walk out of the 2024 conference with six awards was a tremendous feeling of gratitude and joy. In my time as editor-in-chief, I've seen how hard every member of our staff works, and I am so glad their hard work was recognized. As my time with the newspaper is nearing an end, I truly hope I have prepared our younger staff members to continue the award-winning legacy of The Xavierite, as well as the legacy of the paper as a reputable news source dating back to 1936," said Grace Van Cleave, editor-in-chief.
As The Xavierite looks to the future, they are studying new trends in media, particularly the role of AI in the future of journalism. For the next academic year, they hope to print on a regular basis and continue to keenly cover all happenings campus.