Catholic University has received 11 awards from the Catholic Press Association (CPA).
CatholicU magazine was awarded third place in the category Alumni Magazine of the Year. Judges commented the magazine has “compelling images and high-quality content on a diverse array of issues.” (First place in this category went to Santa Clara Magazine and second Place went to Notre Dame Magazine.)
The University’s magazine also received first place in the category of Best Feature Article/Alumni Magazines for “Stories to Tell,” the summer 2018 cover story on the University’s M.F.A. playwriting program by Katie Bahr, associate director of communications and the magazine’s news editor. “Wow! This piece manages to pull together the personal and the transcendent dimensions of art,” said the judges. “Drama is at the heart of this story and the author incorporates plenty of that in her writing.”
A first-place award also went to the winter 2018 cover story “Recovery: I Found I had a Purpose” by Ellen N. Woods, director of creative services and managing editor of the magazine. The article details how a Metropolitan School of Professional Studies alumnus claimed victory over addiction and how he used that victory to chart a meaningful life in service to others. “There is so much to love about this story,” said the judges. “In addition to the range of sensations the writing evokes, there is a clearly organized structure, teetering between past and present, while incorporating a good amount of sources and facts.”
A second-award in the same category went to the fall 2018 cover story, “Producer and Patriot,” also written by Woods, a personality profile on alumnus Michael Colbert, the executive producer of the National Memorial Day Concert and A Capitol Fourth concert.
A first-place award in the category of Best Single Photo/Alumni Magazines was awarded to former University photographer Dana Rene Bowler for her compelling photo of biology doctoral candidate Nnanya Kalu in his lab. “This photo demonstrates a high level of technical and creative proficiency,” said the judges. “The use of symmetry and balance to create a powerful centralized subject is well defined.”
In addition, Bowler received a second place award in this category for her photo “Homeless Food Run,” along with two honorable mention nods for “Kenny Baldwin cover photo” and “Kiss Me Kate students on stage.”
The magazine also received an honorable mention in the category Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues (Options for the Poor and Vulnerable) for the fall 2018 feature story “Working Miracles in Ward 8” by Anne Kloclenkemper, associate director of advancement communications. The article details the work, funded by a Catholic Charities grant, of M.S.W. students in one of Washington, D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods.
The University received two other awards. In the category of Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis, a second place went to Theological College for the seminary’s “Celebrating a Century” anniversary publication. A third place honor was awarded to the University’s annual report “A Capital Advantage.”
In addition to the awards won by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Julia Young, associate professor of history, was honored with three awards for a piece she wrote for Catholic Southwest's special issue on the Cristero War. She won Best Cover and third place in the categories of Best Feature Article, Scholarly Magazines, and Best Essay, Scholarly Magazine. A historical photo from her personal collection was used on the cover of the issue.
The awards were announced June 21 at the conclusion of the 2019 Catholic Media Conference held in St Petersburg, Fla. CPA represents more than 600 member organizations in the United States and Canada.