Contest & Awards

logo_cornerThe Society for Collegiate Journalists promotes exceptional and ethical journalism through annual contests and awards. For more details on the contests and how to enter, see the official rules and award descriptions below.

ANNUAL NATIONAL CONTEST — 2024 Deadline: February 6
SCJ sponsors a National Contest for all current SCJ members. All entries are judged by professionals in the field. There is no entry fee for current members of active chartered chapters.

For full details, visit our rules here: 2023 SCJ Contest Rules and Categories.

SCJ MAJOR AWARDS — Deadline: September 30, 2023

The following is a brief description of the SCJ Major Awards. Awards may be given on an annual basis when deserving candidates are nominated. Nominations must be completed via the website on or before the deadline. Award decisions are made by the National Council. All applications are available at the links below.

  • Edward E. McDonald Chapter of the Year Award — This award, named in honor of one of SCJ’s “founding fathers” Edward E. McDonald, is given to a chapter that upholds the highest ideals of college student journalism. It is an award for an established chapter that has shown leadership, vision, and initiative to advancing SCJ’s mission. To nominate your chapter please complete the entry form available below. The National Office may also submit outstanding chapters for consideration. To make a nomination, please use the Edward E. McDonald Chapter of the Year Award online nomination form.
  • Arthur H. Barlow Student Journalist of the Year Award — This award, named for longtime SCJ Executive Director, Dr. Arthur H. Barlow, acknowledges outstanding contributions to college journalism. It is designed to allow SCJ chapter advisers an opportunity to bring national recognition to a student journalist who meets the highest standards of ethics, service, leadership, and technical skills. The student must be an initiated member of the Society to be considered. In addition, the Barlow Award is supported with a $500 scholarship. To make a nomination, download the application: Barlow Award online nomination form.
  • Sheridan Barker Adviser of the Year Award — The SCJ adviser is a mentor and a facilitator, a motivator and a link to the chapter’s past and the national organization’s future. The Barker Award recognizes the commitment and contribution the adviser makes to an SCJ Chapter. It is a citation of lifelong achievement. Chapters may nominate advisers for consideration and the National Council may also submit outstanding advisers for consideration. To make a nomination, please use the Sheridan Barker Adviser of the Year Award online nomination form.
  • Louis Ingelhart SCJ Freedom of Expression Award  — The lnglehart Award recognizes an individual or group who contributes to freedom of expression on their campus or in their community. The nominee’s work demonstrates a commitment to upholding the ideals of the First Amendment, and most specifically, student free speech and press. It is the only SCJ Award that may be awarded to non-members. To make a nomination, please use the Louis Inglehart SCJ Freedom of Expression Award online nomination form.
  • Outstanding New Chapter — This award is given to a chapter that has been chartered or reactivated for a period no longer than 6 years and no shorter than 2 years. The purpose of this award is to recognize a new and energetic member of the SCJ family. In order to be eligible this chapter must have had at least one induction each academic year for 2 consecutive years. The National Office will also submit outstanding new chapters for consideration. To make a nomination, please use the Outstanding New Chapter Award online nomination form.
  • Outstanding New Adviser — This award is given to an adviser who has advised a chapter (new or existing) for a period of no longer than 6 years and no shorter than 2 years. The purpose of this award is to recognize a new and energetic member of the SCJ family. In order to be eligible this adviser must be part of a chapter that has actively participated in SCJ activities (i.e., inductions, contest, philanthropy, conventions) for 2 consecutive academic years. To nominate your adviser please complete the entry form below. The National Office may also submit outstanding new advisers for consideration. To make a nomination, please use the Outstanding New Adviser Award online nomination form.
  • Mary Beth Earnheardt Award for Service — This award is named for Dr. Mary Beth Earnheardt and recognizes outstanding service work done by SCJ chapters. According to the SCJ constitution: ‘the dominant tradition of the Society for Collegiate Journalists is service. Because the Society stands for service, membership in it is not to be regarded as an honor in itself, but also as an opportunity for rendering greater service. Whatever traditions may accrue to the Society and its membership in the future, none shall ever supplant the tradition of service.’ While all journalism is technically driven by commitment to community service, this particular award aims to recognize leaders who demonstrate service beyond the norm. The Mary Beth Earnheardt Award for Service recognizes the importance of advancing community through: service projects; innovative, in-depth public affairs reporting projects; sustained awareness campaigns; or projects that require the reporter(s) to overcome major opposition. To see eligibility requirements and/or make a nomination, please use the Mary Beth Earnheardt Award for Service online nomination form.

Certificate of Merit and Medal of Merit

The Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a member (current or alumni) who has made significant contributions to campus media. The Certificate of Merit is a printed citation, which the SCJ National Office makes available to chapters at no cost. Two Certificates of Merit may be awarded each year by an SCJ Chapter. They should be presented in recognition of superior work. Certificates may be requested by any chapter at any time. Please allow three weeks to process the application. Complete the online Certificate of Merit Nomination Form to request a certificate. Please complete one form per nomination.

One Medal of Merit may be awarded each year to a chapter member (current or alumni) making an outstanding contribution to the advancement of collegiate journalism. The Medal of Merit is a medallion. The cost, $12.00, is paid by the chapter making the award. Each chapter is eligible to award one Medal of Merit per year. The chapter adviser, a Dean, Vice President or President at the institution, director of student publications or director of student activities may submit nominations using the online Medal of Merit Nomination Form. Nomination must be accompanied by the fee for the medal. Please allow three weeks for processing.

Grants

In 2003, the National Council voted to fund scholarship that had a direct impact on student journalism. The $500 SCJ grant is available to advisers and students of SCJ chapters. The scholarship must concentrate on the study of student journalism, and the author must provide a news release detailing the results to the National Office within two years of receiving the grant. Additional details can be obtained by contacting the National Executive Office.