Harbinger recognized at ICCJA conference

EAST PEORIA – The Illinois Community College Journalism Association held its 41st Annual Spring Conference and awards banquet in Utica, IL last Thursday and Friday, where Illinois Central College’s Harbinger magazine received a total of 14 awards.

The ICCJA Spring Conference assembled community colleges from all over the state of Illinois, including Illinois Valley, Black Hawk, Heartland, Joliet and Lincoln Land, to engage in seminars headed by several renowned journalists, instructors and photographers in the area. Former advisor for Illinois Central College’s Harbinger, Mike Foster, also headed a few of the presentations.

The workshops touched on various topics including news photography, social media in sports journalism, investigative reporting, lead writing and Bigfoot journalism.

Bigfoot Journalism was the keynote speech presented by Joe Gisondi, the author of “Monster Trek: The Obsessive Search for Bigfoot.” In this presentation Gisondi discussed his traveling adventures with Bigfoot field researchers while writing his book, as well as the importance of research, integrity and reliability in journalism.

The conference concluded with the administering of awards, several of which were awarded to the Illinois Central College Harbinger magazine. The Harbinger returned home having received first place in Page Design as well as placing second for the Division II Mike Foster General Excellence Award. Additionally, the Harbinger placed third in the category of Websites and received honorable mention in Front Page Design.

Editor-in-Chief Reid Harman placed first in Multimedia and was presented with third place in the category of Reporter of the Year. Also, awarded second place was Sports Editor Justin Brown in Sports Features. Social Media Editor Megan Whitford placed third in graphics.

Illinois Central College students Kristen Switzer and Lauren Marrett placed second and third in the category of Advertising, and Lauren Marrett, a former photo editor, was also awarded third place for News Photo. Former features editor Richard Liesse placed second in News Columns.

04/16/2015 UPDATE: The Harbinger ended up winning a total of 17 awards, some of which had been delayed. Below, find a full list of awards received by the Harbinger.

First place, The Harbinger, Page Design, Division I

First place, Reid Harman, Multimedia Story, open category

Second place, The Harbinger, Mike Foster General Excellence, Division II

Second place, Justin Brown, Sports Features, Division I

Second place, Kristen Switzer, Advertising, open category

Second place, Richard Liesse, News Columns, Division I

Third place, The Harbinger, Websites, open category

Third place, Reid Harman, Reporter of the Year, open category

Third place, Reid Harman, Multimedia Story, open category

Third place, Reid Harman, News Story, Division I

Third place, Megan Whitford, Graphics, open category

Third place, Lauren Marrett, Advertising, open category

Third place, Lauren Marrett, News Photo, Division I

Third place, Lauren Marrett, Sports Photo, Division I

Third place, Richard Liesse, Feature Story, Division I

Honorable Mention, The Harbinger Staff, Front Page Design, Division I

Honorable Mention, Reid Harman, Headlines, open category