Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University has won its 15th national photojournalism championship in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program.

Two WKU students finished in the top 20 in the picture story/series competition, the last of three photo contests in the 46th annual Hearst program. Christian Hansen, a Louisville sophomore, finished fifth and received a $600 award. Jenica Miller, a senior from Tampa, Fla., tied for 11th place.

WKU placed first in the Hearst Intercollegiate Photojournalism Competition with the highest accumulated school points from the three photo competitions. Others in the top 10 are: North Carolina, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Colorado, San Francisco State, Kentucky, Ball State and Missouri.

“This is a true group effort that begins with the talent and desire of our students, the support they get from their peers, and the hard work of the faculty to choose and mentor those students who are entered,” said James Kenney, director of the photojournalism program.

Two WKU photojournalism students have qualified for the semifinal round of judging. Will DeShazer, a Bowling Green senior, and Allen Bryant, an Owensboro senior, will submit additional photos for judging. Six finalists will be selected to compete for national honors in San Francisco.

The Hearst program, often called the Pulitzers of collegiate journalism, conducts competitions in print journalism, broadcasting and photojournalism. WKU’s School of Journalism and Broadcasting won the overall Hearst title in 2000, 2001 and 2005 and has finished in the top four nationally for seven straight years. This year’s final results will be announced later this month.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact James Kenney at (270) 745-6307.

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