Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University students have completed a first-place sweep of the photojournalism competitions in the 45th Hearst Journalism Awards Program.

With top finishes in all three contests, Western won the Hearst Intercollegiate Photojournalism Competition for the 15th time in the past 17 years.

Six Western students will be among 12 submitting a portfolio of photos for the semifinal round of judging before six finalists are selected for the Hearst national finals in late May.

"I'm very excited for the students," said James Kenney, director of the photojournalism program in Western's School of Journalism and Broadcasting. "Though we typically do well in the Hearst competition, we rarely do this well."

Melanie Blanding, a junior from Roanoke, Va., won the picture story/series category and received a $2,000 scholarship. Jim Winn, a Bowling Green senior, was second and received a $1,500 scholarship. Western's School of Journalism and Broadcasting received matching awards.

Other WKU students qualifying for the semifinals are Wiqan Ang, a Bowling Green senior; David Degner, a junior from Augusta, Ga.; Dana Marie Rieber, a Shepherdsville senior; and Erik Jacobs, a Bowling Green senior. Ang and Degner finished first and third in the sports and news competition, while Rieber and Jacobs were first and third in the feature and portrait/personality category.

"Contests are one measure of performance and excellence," Kenney said. "I think the Hearst is a special kind of contest because as a faculty we are more involved in choosing the entries for each round."

The Hearst is often called the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate journalism and is one of two major national competitions, Kenney said. "The Hearst is a very prestigious contest and winning it is quite an accomplishment. We are very proud of it," he said.

In this year's overall photojournalism competition, Western was followed by Florida, North Carolina, Kent State, Colorado, Ball State, Southern Illinois, Arizona State, San Jose State and Montana.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program includes writing, photojournalism and broadcasting competitions. In the past six years, Western has placed in the nation's top four overall including two first-place finishes. This year's final winners will be announced later this month.

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For information, contact the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at (270) 745-4143.