Marina Bravo
Arts Editor
The Campus Times and La Verne Magazine have each won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Medal award, the association’s top honor for overall journalism excellence – for college Newspaper/Online Hybrid, and college Magazine/Online Hybrid, respectively, for the 2024-25 academic year, the New York-based association announced late last month.
Additionally the student journalism publications won a combined 12 awards for individual stories, photos and overall publication excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists in the organization’s regional contest for 2024.
The awards place the publications among the top college journalism outlets across the nation.
Both the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine earned CSPA’s additional distinction of “All Columbian,” based on their scores. The Campus Times scored 962.5 out of 1,000 possible points, and La Verne Magazine scored 930 out of 1,000 possible points.
Senior communications major April Cambero served as Campus Times editor-in-chief for fall 2024, and senior communications major Margaret Contreras served as Campus Times editor-in-chief for spring 2025; Senior communications major Rebecca Keeler was La Verne Magazine editor in fall 2024, and 2025 communications alumna Erika Oceguera was La Verne Magazine editor in Spring 2025.
Journalism Professor Elizabeth Zwerling is faculty advisor for Campus Times; journalism professors George Keeler and Randy Miller advised the La Verne magazine in fall 2024 and spring 2025 respectively; Journalism Department Manager and Adjunct Professor Eric Borer is photography advisor for both publications.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association, or CSPA, contest involves an intensive critique for which judges evaluate the full academic year of publications and online issues awarding points for categories including depth and breadth of coverage, writing, editing and visual components.
“It is a heavy honor,” said George Keeler, who is also journalism and communications program chair. “It’s an achievement that ranks up there as a Pulitzer Prize for college students.”
“It is just amazing to see not only my hard work, but also the editors (and) staff writers’ hard work being recognized,” said Contreras, a senior communications major, who is serving a second term as Campus Times editor in chief this semester.
The publications, however, are no strangers to these awards, The Campus Times and La Verne Magazine have been consistent annual winners in both of these prestigious contests for more than two decades.
“These awards place us as really one of the best journalism programs in the nation,” Zwerling said. “We are just so thrilled.”
“It is really important to recognize the work that we do, and really (the work) all college journalists do,” Borer added. “The work of student journalists is overlooked. They do a job that is just as important and just as good as professional journalists.”
At a time when journalism is being defunded, and free speech is under threat as never before, the work of independent journalists who hold the powers that be to account is critical, Zwerling said.
“They are part of the resistance,” Zwerling added. “Students decide to take editor positions and volunteer their time because they want to make a difference.”
“Being recognized as one of the best collegiate writers… It is a validation of my hard work, passion and dedication I have for journalism,” said Rebecca Keeler, who is serving her second term as La Verne Magazine editor-in-chief this fall.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is an international student press organization uniting student journalists and faculty at colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges and award programs. Owned and operated by Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, the Association founded in 1925 is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious student journalism associations.
The Society of Professional Journalists, established in 1909 ad DePaw University, is one of the oldest and most consequential journalism organizations – with roughly 300 chapters across the U.S., and more than 9,000 media members. Besides its annual contests, SPJ works to promote and defend freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and to support diversity, ethical behavior and high standards in professional and student journalism.
In addition to the CSPA gold medals, the publications’ student staff writers and photographers won three first place honors and nine finalist, or second-place awards as follows:
Campus Times:
- Campus Times Staff :Finalist/Second Place: Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper.
- Olivia Modarelli Winner: Feature Photography, “Sutton performs at The Haven”
- Mia Byington Finalist, Feature Photography, “Heavy//Hitter singer Austin Hayes”
- Stephen Gilson Jr. Finalist, General News Reporting, “Fairplex takes in horses displaced by wildfires”
- Jack Janes Finalist, Sports Writing, “Student-athletes not immune to mental health crises”
- Lindsey Pacela Finalist, Photo Essay/Slideshow, “Sex Workers: Stepping Out of the Shadows”
- Chris Rogers Finalist, Breaking News Photography, “Bridge Fire water drop”
- Olivia Russo Finalist, General News Reporting, “Leo Food Pantry offers food security to students”
- Sarah Van Buskirk Finalist, Feature Writing, “Goat farm set to move by end of year”
La Verne Magazine:
- Rebecca Keeler Winner, Personality Profile, “Owning Her Narrative”
- Sarah Van Buskirk, Winner, Feature Writing, “Overspray progresses past graffiti stereotypes”
- Jayleen De La Cruz Finalist, Personality Profile, “Beyond the Beat: The Stacey Strickland Story”
Marina Bravo can be reached at marina.bravo@laverne.edu.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
