The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication encourages Greenlee students to submit their best published work for consideration in the 2019 Hearst Journalism Awards competition.
Participation in the program is open to undergraduate journalism majors currently enrolled in ACEJMC – accredited domestic universities. An exception to the journalism major rule is made for students entering the photojournalism competitions. Entrants must be actively involved in campus media and must have published articles, photographs or produced newscasts or multimedia pieces that can be submitted in writing, photojournalism, broadcast news and/or multimedia competitions.
A Resume Builder
This prestigious competition serves as a great way for students to build their resumes through monthly competitions. Placing in the top ten of one of the competitions is a distinction that can become a key focal point on a young journalist’s resume.
"The Hearst awards are often referred to as the Pulitzers of student journalism, and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration," said Associate Professor Dennis Chamberlin, the faculty member who coordinates the Greenlee School entries.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn scholarships if they place in the top five in one of the monthly competitions or if they are finalists in the championship round. The 59th annual program is offering up to $700,000 in awards.
"There isn’t another student journalism competition I know of that has such generous prizes," Chamberlin said.
A Networking Opportunity
In addition to receiving scholarship money, the top finalists in the monthly competitions have the opportunity to continue competing in semi-final rounds. Finalists are then selected to compete in person at the national championships in June.
Emily Blobaum, (’18, journalism and mass communication), secured an eighth-place finish in the 2018 news and features photojournalism monthly competition.
"I like the feeling that someone from Iowa made it in there because most of the bigger schools enter, like Western Kentucky or North Carolina," said Blobaum. "Just having Iowa on the map makes all the difference."
In addition to representing her home state, the Des Moines native had the opportunity to network with journalists in the field by submitting her work. Besides having her portfolio reviewed by Chamberlin, Blobaum also received feedback from a journalist at Condé Nast and a recent retiree from the Washington Post.
"Entering the Hearst competition really gives you the opportunity to get your name out there" said Blobaum. "You have the chance to get your portfolio reviewed by people all across the world."
Students can also compete in teams for the multimedia category. Blobaum and Whitney Mason, a junior in public relations, also placed sixth in the 2018 Multimedia Team Reporting monthly competition.
A Positive for the Greenlee School
In addition to opportunities for students, the Hearst Awards program also helps spotlight participating ACEJMC programs, including the Greenlee School.
"The Greenlee School benefits from the Hearst Program because our students’ skills are rewarded and acknowledged. This heightens the visibility of not only our students but the Greenlee School as well," said Director Angela Powers. "When we compete, we are competing with the best journalism and communication programs in the nation and the world. Word about our level of excellence spreads."
Matching grants are awarded to the schools of the top five finalists in each monthly competition, and stipends are provided to the schools for each entry.
How can students apply?
The Hearst Journalism program features two photojournalism, five writing, one radio, two television and four multimedia competitions – with championship finals in photojournalism, writing, broadcast and multimedia.
Step 1: Review your best published work and make sure to visit the Hearst Journalism Awards Program to review the entry guidelines for each competition.
Step 2: Plan ahead for the remaining 2018-19 competitions. Submissions are due to the Greenlee School by noon on the following dates:
- Feature Writing: Oct. 24 Deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. Oct. 25
- Photo I – News and Features Photojournalism: Oct. 31
- Television I – Features: Nov. 7
- Multimedia I – Narrative Multimedia Storytelling – Features: Nov. 21
- Enterprise Writing: Dec. 5
- Radio – News and Features: Jan. 9
- Multimedia II – News: Jan. 16
- Sports Writing: Jan. 30
- Photo II: Picture Story/Series: Feb 6
- Television II – News: Feb. 13
- Multimedia III – Enterprise Reporting: Feb. 27
- Personality/Profile Writing: March 6
- Multimedia IV – Team Storytelling – News: April 3
- Breaking News Writing: April 10
Step 3: Email your published work to dennisch@iastate.edu before the deadlines stated above. The Greenlee School may select up to two entrants’ work to compete in any of the monthly competitions.