COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Two of Winthrop University’s student publications – The Johnsonian and The Roddey-McMillan Record – won state awards for General Excellence, while The Johnsonian editor Clark Vilardebo was tapped as Collegiate Journalist of the Year by the S.C. Press Association. Both publications were included in the division with institutions whose enrollment is under 10,000 students.
The ceremony took place Feb. 28 at the press association’s office in Columbia, South Carolina.
Judges gave first place in General Excellence to The Johnsonian based on its September 19 and November 14 editions which exceled in sharing news, sports and feature stories impacting the campus. “They contained strong public safety and political coverage and had a solid editorial page with inclusion of diverse student voices,” according to the judges’ notes.
Vilardebo, a senior from Fort Mill, South Carolina, who is majoring in mass communication with a minor in history, was recognized as one of two Lee Harter Collegiate Journalists of the Year.
During his tenure as editor, Vilardebo has brought enthusiasm and professionalism to the paper. Citing his commitment to growing his journalism skills and craft, Johnsonian Advisor Bill Schulte noted that Vilardebo has brought about a much-needed cultural shift to the newspaper, infusing it with a professionalism that hasn’t been seen in years.
Schulte, an associate professor of mass communication, said Vilardebo built a robust staff of 20 hard-working student journalists and worked through the summer to make contacts, polish his editing and Associated Press style skills, and to master page design. “The paper is no longer starved for content but is now of a quality the learning community is proud of,” Schulte said.
In his nomination of Vilardebo for the award, Schulte wrote: “The Johnsonian is filled with objective, hard-hitting news, features and good design. The contentious election cycle, damage from Hurricane Helene, the demolition of residence halls on campus and Winthrop’s strategic plan have all been brought into clearer focus because of Clark’s leadership. He has made a profound difference on the Winthrop University campus and is a joy to work with.”
Vilardebo thanked Schulte and the staff for their many contributions to the paper’s success. “If Professor Schulte didn’t take a chance on me, I don’t know if I would have even been a part of The Johnsonian, let alone editor-in-chief,” he said, adding that this is his first year on the paper. “The paper really doesn’t look as good without the work of my staff. Their stories are really the heartbeat of the newspaper, and I’m very grateful for the work they’ve put in this year.”
He hopes to bring home even more awards next year. “The fact that we won General Excellence and Collegiate Journalist of the Year in kind of a rebuilding year just goes to show that the sky is the limit for us, and next year we’re coming for a lot more awards,” Vilardebo said.
Also in the Collegiate Under 10,000 Division, Sera Crookes won first place for The Johnsonian for a Photo Story on the 60th anniversary of integration. Zachary Bell won a third-place news story award for his article on President Trump’s election and Vilardebo won third place for his Page One Design.
The Roddey-McMillan Record, Winthrop’s multicultural student publication, captured four awards. Editor Sera Crookes was cited for layout and the staff for content in taking third place for General Excellence. Ravyn Rhodes won first place for his arts and entertainment feature on PTSD Radio and third place for his column on The Watermelon Stereotype: Knowing Your History. Lili Zayas won second place in the arts and entertainment category for her article on Gen Z Micro-aesthetics.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
