Los Angeles journalists and national peers honor USC Dornsife magazine, news writing
Anticipation hung over table No. 7 at the 61st annual Southern California Journalism Awards, hosted by the Los Angeles Press Club on June 30 at the Biltmore Los Angeles hotel. L.A. radio personality Dr. Wendy Walsh of station KFI AM 640 and television station ABC7’s entertainment reporter George Pennacchio were announcing the first-place winner in the “Magazines, Best In-house or Corporate Publication” category. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Office of Communication staff eagerly awaited the judges’ decision.
Pausing for effect, Pennacchio declared, “USC Dornsife Magazine, ‘The Los Angeles Issue.’”
Through the USC Dornsife staff members’ cheers, Walsh noted the judge’s reason for selecting the issue: “Well-designed, well-written and filled with an interesting mix of thoughtful content, this publication goes well beyond expectations for a college magazine.”
It was the third time in the past five years that the magazine has garnered first place in its category from the press club.
This time out, the magazine also took first place in the “Magazines, Page Design” category for the issue’s “Talk the Talk” article, with judge’s noting, “Excellent use of color, design and layout. [The design] would draw any reader to the story regardless of their interest level in the topic.”
The magazine’s cover rounded out the evening with a third place win in the “Art/Photography – All Platforms, Cover Art” category.
“We knew this edition was a winner, but it’s gratifying that others felt the same way,” said department head Lance Ignon, senior associate dean for strategic initiatives and communication. “Journalists act as judges for these awards, so when they hand us the prize, it really validates the quality and integrity of our work.”
Back-to-back honors
Earlier this year, USC Dornsife’s Office of Communication earned recognition from its university peers around the nation in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s national Circle of Excellence Awards. The team garnered a Silver Award in the “Excellence in News Writing – General News” category, with judges noting, “There’s strong writing and great storytelling here.”
They also earned an “Editorial Design” Bronze Award for the “Talk the Talk” article.
“Excellent creative illustration that, along with the headline, clearly tells the reader what the story is about,” the judges remarked. “There is always a risk in using an illustration with text. … This entry managed to expertly manage the ‘text situation’ while also allowing for a clear design.”
See the current issue of USC Dornsife Magazine online, visit the archive for past issues, or email magazine@dornsife.usc.edu to subscribe to the print version.