Drake students had another strong showing in this summer’s Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication magazine contest. Drake Magazine, edited by senior Melissa Studach, won first place for general excellence, as well as first place in design under art director Susanna Hayward, JO’16. Judge Scott Burton, executive editor of ESPN the Magazine, commented, “I’m gobsmacked by how great this entry is — every bit the equal of many professional city magazines … I mean seriously: Wow. Are you sure you all aren’t professionals?”

The Annual, with editor-in-chief Emily Gregor, JO’16, won first place for editorial and Drake Magazine won second place. The senior capstone website, Urban Plains, won honorable mention for online magazine. In addition, Colton Warren, JO’16, and Cole Norum, JO’16, won writing awards, and junior Katie Bandurski won an award for her magazine prototype.

—Kathleen Richardson, Dean, SJMC