awards

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country

neradj — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:26:24 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Society of Professional Journalists just announced its national Mark of Excellence awards. The Planet took first place in the “Best Ongoing Student Magazine” category, edging out competition across the United States.

“I am both over the moon and utterly unsurprised,” said Jeff Shaw, an instructor in ��’s Journalism department and the advisor for The Planet magazine. “Anyone who saw the hard work, determination and conscientious effort the editorial team and staff put in over the past year would feel the same way.”

This year, The Planet magazine was led by Editor-in-Chief Julia Hawkins, Managing Editor Tori Lehman, Photo Editor Avery Robertson, Science Editor Ewan McLauchlan, Social Media Editor Omar Sayoud, and Story Editors Isaac Becker, Kylie Miller and Daria Walker.

“I’ve always known the work we do at The Planet was special and meant something, but this is on the next level!” said Hawkins. “I’m beyond thankful that we got to show people all the amazing things we do on the national level.”

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

“To say everyone at The Planet is overjoyed to win this award is an understatement. We are incredibly thankful for the recognition of our hard work, and grateful to all our reporters, staff, and advisor Jeff Shaw, who put in the work to make this magazine what it is.”

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

Earlier this year, The Planet earned six awards from the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) regional Mark of Excellence competition. Besides winning Best Ongoing Student Magazine, the team won awards in almost every journalism category, from news reporting to general magazine writing to photography to podcasting.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

The Society of Professional Journalists began giving the Mark of Excellence awards in 2000. Since then, Western has won the top award in General News Photography (2001), Feature Writing (2003), Editorial Cartooning (2004, 2006), Magazine Non-Fiction (2005), General News Photography (2006, 2010), Breaking News Reporting (2010), and Online/Digital Feature Videography (2017). Western also received third place in Feature Photography (2002) and was named a finalist in Non-Fiction Magazine Article (2010), In-Depth Reporting (2010), Feature Photography from a Four-year College or University (2011), Photo Illustration from a Four-year College or University (2011), and Best Student Magazine (2013, 2014).

The Planet is a student-run quarterly environmental publication dedicated to environmental advocacy and awareness through responsible journalism. The magazine has been independently produced by Western Washington University students since 1979.

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Provost & Faculty Senate Spring Awards Ceremony April 25

gallagm7 — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:54:36 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

��’s Joseph Trimble Wins Lifetime Award from American Psychological Foundation

gallagm7 — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 19:03:23 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Convocation kicks off new school year as President Randhawa addresses faculty and staff for the first time

thomps94 — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 19:06:05 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Nominations accepted through July 15 for Outstanding Classified Staff Award

Western Today — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 21:34:59 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Diversity Achievement Award winners announced

Western Today — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:24:22 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Nominations sought for Community Service Award

Western Today — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:33:43 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Centralia College’s Distinguished Alumnus Overcomes Adversity

Western Today — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:55:21 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Nominations open for Outstanding Classified Staff Award at ��

Western Today — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:06:35 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

Departments honor Outstanding Graduate Students

gallagm7 — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:26:01 +0000

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country neradj Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:26pm

Western staff beats out all universities in the country regardless of size to claim the honor

(From left) Josh Maritz, Tori Lehman, Julia Hawkins, Avery Robertson and Kylie Miller hold the magazine’s Mark of Excellence awards. Photo: Jeff Shaw.

The Planet's faculty advisor, Jeff Shaw, upper left, poses with the magazine's award-winning staff.

Lehman echoed Hawkins’ sentiment.

Lehman, who is the incoming editor-in-chief, is looking forward to continuing to make the magazine the best it can be.

“We’re excited to continue doing our best to educate our community about their environment and train the next generation of environmental reporters,” she said.

The Planet magazine's awards include:

The Planet, for Best Ongoing Student Magazine (editorial team: Julia Hawkins, Tori Lehman, Isaac Becker, Ewan McLauchlan, Kylie Miller, Avery Robertson, Omar Sayoud and Daria Walker)
Phoebe Clark, for “Kelp Needs Your Help”: Environment/Science/Climate Reporting
Soren Cooley, for “No Goats, No Glory”: General News Photography
Eleanor Geraghty, for “Losing Steam”: Campus Reporting
Josh Maritz, for “Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease Comes to Washington”: General News Reporting
India Rahmani, for “Himalayan Blackberry”: Best Podcast, Narrative

Read The Planet magazine online or look for the print anthology on newsstands around campus⁠.

Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.

awards

‘The Planet’ named best ongoing student magazine in the country

Provost & Faculty Senate Spring Awards Ceremony April 25

��������’s Joseph Trimble Wins Lifetime Award from American Psychological Foundation

Convocation kicks off new school year as President Randhawa addresses faculty and staff for the first time

Nominations accepted through July 15 for Outstanding Classified Staff Award

Diversity Achievement Award winners announced

Nominations sought for Community Service Award

Centralia College’s Distinguished Alumnus Overcomes Adversity

Nominations open for Outstanding Classified Staff Award at ��������

Departments honor Outstanding Graduate Students

��’s Joseph Trimble Wins Lifetime Award from American Psychological Foundation

Nominations open for Outstanding Classified Staff Award at ��