Photojournalism students and faculty gathered to honor and recognize the achievements of their peers and welcome freshman into the program in Franklin Hall on Wednesday.

The night began with a gallery display of the award-winning photos for outstanding photojournalism achievement. The night then continued in the FirstEnergy auditorium where David LaBelle and Gary Harwood, both photojournalism faculty members, presented international, national and regional awards to the students for their work last year.

The event also served as an exercise in building a community among photojournalism majors and minors.

 “It helps them feel like a family,” said LaBelle, the director of the photojournalism program. “I want them to feel connected with each other.”

 “Everyone is in the same boat as you, so everyone wants to watch you succeed,” said Andrea Noall, a sophomore photojournalism major. “I love it. I would never change my major.”

Noall received the Ohio News Photographers Association’s Award of Excellence in the Pictures of the Year Competition, Thomas Peter Mindzak and Michael G. Murray Fund for Aviation and Journalism in the Public Interest from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication was a finalist in the college level of Photographer’s Forum.

The award-winning photos are on display on the third floor of Franklin Hall.

LaBelle said he hopes to get freshmen excited about the photojournalism program and to encourage them to achieve as much as their peers.

 “I’m really excited about the program. The classes are really fun,” said Alex Ledet, a freshman photojournalism major.

Contact Julia Kerchenski at [email protected].

AWARD WINNERS

Kristin Bauer

            College Photographer of the Year — Gold Medal, Feature Picture Story, International

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Picture of the Year, Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story, Regional

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Picture of the Year, Award of Excellence, Portrait Personality, Regional

            Associated Press Society of Ohio — Best Photographer, Regional

Chelsae Ketchum

            Society of Professional Journalists, Mark of Excellence — Region 4, Breaking News Photography (Large), Regional

David Dermer

            Pro Football Hall of Fame — Selection: 46th Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest, National

Shane Flanigan

            Photographer’s Forum — Honorable Mention, College Level, International

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Pictures of the Year Competition, Award of Excellence, Product Illustration, Regional

Brooke Didonato

            The Eddie Adams Workshop — Selected Participant, International

            Creative Quarterly — Student Selection, Photography, International

Erin McLaughlin

            Kent State Journalism and Mass Communication, Photojournalism Program — Departmental Honors 2012/13 Exemplary Freshman , Local

            Kent State Journalism and Mass Communication — Douglass Moore Scholarship, Local

Andrea Noall

            Photographer’s Forum — Finalist, College Level, International

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Pictures of the Year Competition, Award of Excellence – Pictorial, Regional

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Thomas Peter Mindzak and Michael G. Murray Fund for Aviation and journalism in the Public Interest, Local

Brian Smith

            Society of Professional Journalists, Mark of Excellence — Region 4 (large market) Sports Photography, Regional

Graham Smith

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Murray Powers Award, Local

Jenna Watson

            College Photographer of the Year International — Award of Excellence, Sports Action

            Photographer’s Forum — Finalist, College Level, International

            Hearst Photojournalism National Competition — 5th Place, Sports/Feature

            Hearst Photojournalism Competition — 4th Place, Participating College, National

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Pictures of the Year competition, Award of Excellence, Sports Feature, Regional

            Ohio News Photographers — First Place, Larry Fullerton Scholarship (student portfolio), Regional

            Cleveland Press Club — Scholarship Recipient, Regional

Rachael LeGoubin

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Department Honors 2012/13 Exemplary Freshman, Local

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Robert Soriano Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Local

Amani Williams

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Robert McGruder Scholarship, Local

Leah K. Klafczynski

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — The Jaminet: Shutterbug Foundation, National

            Photographer’s Forum — Honorable Mention, College Level, International

Kristi Garabrandt

            Canton Film Fest — 1st Place, Environmental Documentary, Regional

Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Paula Slimak Scholarship, Local

Coty Giannelli

            College Photographer of the Year — Award of Excellence, Portfolio, International

            College Photographer of the Year — Award of Excellence, International Picture Story, International

            Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar — Best Student Portfolio, National

            Society of Professional Journalists – Mark of Excellence — Region 4 (large market), General News Photography (Large), Regional

            American Photographer (Photographer Photo Annual) — Selected Image (online) – American, International

            Hearst Photojournalist Competition — 4th Place, Participating College Kent State University (Jacob Byk, Coty Giannelli, Jenna Watson), National

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Pictures of the Year competition, Award of Excellence, News Picture Story, Regional

Jacob Byk

            Luceo Award — Finalist, International

            News 21 Program — Selected Student, National

            Society of Professional Journalists – Mark of Excellence — Feature Photography (Large), Regional

            Society of Professional Journalists – Mark of Excellence — Region 4: Breaking News Photography (Large), Regional

            Hearst Photojournalist Competition — 4th Place, Participating College Kent State University (Jacob Byk, Coty Giannelli, Jenna Watson), National

            Ohio News Photographers Association — Pictures of the Year Competition, First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Awards, Regional

Yolanda Li

            Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication — Robert G. McGruder Student Media Award for Excellence in Advancing Diversity, Local