Published on March 4, 2010  

The Samford University Journalism Department recently won several prestigious awards at the 24th annual Southeastern Journalism Conference in Louisiana. Samford placed 10th overall against many well-known state schools, and students received many impressive individual awards. Senior Kaitlin McCulley won first place in both the best television journalist category and the best broadcasting anchor category, ’09 graduate Jenny Davell won first place in the best journalism research category, and Samford publication Exodus magazine earned second place honors.

"I couldn’t believe I won Best Television Journalist [and Best Broadcasting Anchor],” McCulley said. “I take it as an encouraging reminder that I am going in the right direction in pursuing a career as a video journalist . . . [and] I’m excited to be recognized by the SEJC.”

The complete list of Samford award winners is as follows: 

  • Don Orr placed ninth in the best press photographer category.
  • Bryan Kessler placed third in the best opinion-editorial category.
  • Lauren Womack placed third in the best radio journalist category.
  • Emily Leithauser placed second in the best magazine page layout designer category.
  • Carol Anne Autry placed second in the best advertising staff member category.
  • Jenny Davell won the best journalism research paper category.
  • Kaitlin McCulley won the best television journalist category.
  • Exodus magazine earned second place honors.
  • The Samford News Network earned fifth place for television news.
  • The Samford Crimson’s website placed tenth.
  • Lauren Womack placed third in the radio news category.
  • Kaitlin McCulley won the broadcast anchoring category.
 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.