From left: Daily Universe reporters and editors Kelly Brunken, Josh Ellis, Kayla Goodson and Ashley Lee hold several awards The Daily Universe won during the 2017 Utah Society of Professional Journalists contest. (Sebastian Meyer)
The Utah Society of Professional Journalists recognized newspapers and journalists throughout the state for their stories, series, multimedia and more on June 15. The Daily Universe and its student journalists received several awards, including first place for best Division B newspaper.
Online Winners
- Third place: Best multimedia: 'Honorably Released: When The Best Two Years Don’t Turn Out As Expected,' Daily Universe Staff
Division B Winners
- First place: Best newspaper: Daily Universe Staff
- Second place: Continuing coverage: 'Sexual assault victims at BYU say changes needed in reporting procedures,' Daily Universe Staff
- First place religion/values: 'Controversial song elicits mixed feelings from the local LGBTQ community,' Paesha Tuttle
- Second place religion/values: 'Eli Herring: the man who said ‘no’ to the NFL,' Nate Cunningham
- Third place religion/values: 'Utahns vote for Trump despite believing he doesn’t respect their values,' Ashley Lee
- First place series: 'Millenials and Religion,' Daily Universe Staff
- Second place series: 'Refugees work to find their place in the Beehive State,' Akiko Chau, Emily Sorenson, Sarah Averett, Liesl Nielsen
- Third place series: 'Missionary work: the untold story,' Daily Universe Staff
- Multimedia journalist: 'San Juan County residents fight to stop Bears Ears National Monument,' Theresa Davis
Division B Honorable Mentions
- Series Honorable Mention: 'The Plague of Pornography,' Sarah Averett, Mariana Chrisney