Georgia Southern University Named Finalist in the Mark of Excellence Awards

June 5, 2014

Georgia Southern University has been named a finalist for student news production in the recently announced 2013 Region 3 Mark of Excellence Awards presented by the Society of Professional Journalists. Recognized for the “Chomp the Gators and Gus in Space" episode of Georgia Southern News (GSN), a quarterly, student produced program, the five minute and 49 second episode is available for viewing at www.georgiasouthern.tv. The program is acknowledged for outstanding accomplishments in collegiate journalism in the category of Best All-Around Television Newscast and highlights the journey of Georgia Southern University’s mascot GUS into space as well as the University’s incredible win over Florida. View the episode below: “We developed an entire customized virtual set using green screen and computer graphics, which made the news program resemble a network type look and set,” said Art Berger, director of the Multimedia Development Center at Georgia Southern. “Our students then wrote, edited and created the stories that won the Mark of Excellence Award. This particular student news program was also Emmy nominated for Best Student News Production. We are proud of our students’ work and their dedication especially the success in showing the great work occurring at Georgia Southern. It is a great honor being recognized by one of the leading national journalist organizations.” "Chomp the Gators and Gus in Space" was anchored and developed by students Sade Thomas, Allen Lincoln, Wilson Brown, Evan Lebish, Robert O'Donnell, Tim Bragg and Cassandra Holmes. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry through the daily work of its nearly 10,000 members; works to inspire and educate current and future journalists through professional development; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press through its advocacy efforts.