Last weekend, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Associated presented Texas A&M Student Media with 30 awards at the 2024 convention in San Marcos.
Aggie journalists from The Battalion and The Aggieland Yearbook claimed awards in multiple categories including writing, photography, design and advertising for content published in 2023.
Against the odds, The Battalion claimed 1st place in Best of Show for website design. Staff celebrated the victory after The Battalion recently redesigned its entire website in December 2023 and January.
Graphics editor Pranay Dhoopar, senior news reporter Nicholas Gutteridge and former Photo Chief Ishika Samant were recognized for their individual excellence. Dhoopar and Gutteridge received 2nd place for Designer and Reporter of the Year, respectively. Samant received an honorable mention for Photojournalist of the Year.
While half of the convention consists of students attending workshops, TIPA hosts a variety of live contests conducted at an on-site or nearby location. These events are highly competitive since attending colleges are limited to only one contestant per category.
Three students each earned 2nd in their categories. Associate sports editor Hunter Mitchell won in Headline Writing, and assistant advertising manager Hamsini Mahadevan won in Print Advertising. Head news editor Ana Renfroe won in Print News Writing, earning her place on the podium in the most competitive category.
Additionally, Renfroe helped plan the TIPA convention as student president. Renfroe was elected vice president in March 2023 alongside former president Megan Williams, former editor-in-chief of The Aggieland Yearbook, who served until earlier this year.
Student Media Director Spencer O’Daniel said the enthusiasm from students attending was incredible from start to finish. O’Daniel said he was proud of the number of awards, adding it was a sign of positive growth within Student Media.
“Overall, I was really happy that eight of our best Student Media staffers took time out of their busy spring schedules to attend,” O’Daniel said. “These conferences are really great bonding moments for your staff, so I know TIPA will always be a priority in our program for years to come.”
To support the award-winning, independent student publications, donate to The Battalion through the Friends of The Battalion, a nonprofit organization. The Battalion also accept donations through its website, www.thebatt.com.
The full list of awards earned by The Battalion and Aggieland Yearbook is available below:
1st Place
Best of Show Website: The Batt Online, thebatt.com
Special Edition Online Design: Ishika Samant, Ruben Hernandez, Megan Williams, Caleb Elizondo, “A Page torn from A&M Journalism”
2nd Place
Designer of the Year: Pranay Dhoopar
In-depth Reporting: Nicholas Gutteridge, “Title IX fails A&M students”
Live Contest – Print Advertising: Hamsini Mahadevan
Live Contest – Headline Writing: Hunter Mitchell
Live Contest – Print News Writing: Ana Renfroe
Op/Editorial Design: Megan Williams, “We have work to do”
Yearbook Overall Design: Megan Williams, The Aggieland (2023)
Newspaper Overall Design: Ishika Samant, Pranay Dhoopar, Megan Williams, Zoe May, “Basketball’s Back”
Newspaper Cover Design: Ishika Samant, Pranay Dhoopar, “Basketball’s back”
Newspaper Sports Design: Ishika Samant
Reporter of the Year: Nicholas Gutteridge
Static Ad Design: Carmen Horrillo Tamayo, “Flora 40/50”
3rd Place
Advertising Campaign: Carmen Horrillo Tamayo, Maroon Life Housing Guide advertising campaign for RPM Living
Breaking News Photo: Ishika Samant, “Romero Memorial”
Feature Photo: Samuel Falade, “Keeper of the Archives”
General Column: Benjamin Barnes, “A zombie virus is spreading at A&M”
General News Photo: Samuel Falade, “March for Palestine”
Sports Action Photo: Chris Swann, “Quarterback rush”
Sports Feature Photo: CJ Smith, “Game point”
Newspaper Feature Design: Ishika Samant, “Horsing around”
Newspaper Overall Excellence: The Battalion
Yearbook Overall Excellence: Megan Williams, The Aggieland (2023)
Honorable mentions
Best Use of Social Media – Breaking News: Chris Swann, Sophie Villarreal, Ishika Samant, Luke White, “Bjork presser on A&M football”
Editorial: Michaela Rush, Caleb Elizondo, Ruben Hernandez, “PRINT IS [still] NOT DEAD”
Photojournalist of the Year: Ishika Samant
Photo Story: Ishika Samant, Chris Swann, “Brazos Valley celebrates its annual Fair and Rodeo”
Yearbook Sports Spread Design: Megan Williams, Luke White, Robert O’Brien, “Tech gets wrecked”
Website Overall Excellence: The Batt Online, www.thebatt.com
