CWU student media continues tradition of excellence with regional, national awards

Central Washington University’s student media has an established reputation for being an incubator for world-class journalists and media professionals alike.

Over the last few years, PULSE Magazine and The Observer newspaper have consistently earned awards buzz on both the regional and national stage, and this year’s haul is no different. Both publications earned awards at the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Mark of Excellence awards, held April 10-12 in Portland, and at the national Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) conference, held March 6-8 in Long Beach, California.

PULSE Editor-in-Chief Gunner Stuns and Observer Co-Editors-in-Chief Brandon Mattesich and Jackson Roberts were excited for their teams to be recognized for their hard work, seeing the awards as a direct result of their shared enthusiasm for journalism.

“Student media is a true passion for all three of us, as well as for the rest of our teams,” Mattesich said. “Obviously it’s our job, but all of us put in more than is required, just out of passion for our craft. It’s a passion for telling student stories, and making sure our voices are heard.”

At the SPJ awards, PULSE took home an award for Best Use of Multimedia in an exploration of the tunnels of Snoqualmie Pass, written by student reporter Amy Walker. Stuns says the story is representative of the kind of amazing work the PULSE team produces year after year.

“I think it was fantastically written, and Keaton Weyers did a great job on photographs, too,” he said. “I’m very proud to have been editor in chief when it was published, and to have had a small role in editing it.”

At the same ceremony, The Observer won Best Website and was named a finalist for the Best Print Newspaper award. Roberts says the website award was particularly satisfying, as it has been an ongoing focus for the staff.

“Brandon and I have been emphasizing our website since we were named EICs,” he said. “Inline photos, pull-out quotes, and stories posted as they’re completed are just some of the ways we’ve been elevating it over the last year. I’m really proud of that work.”

In addition to these accolades, PULSE placed sixth in the Best Print Magazine category at the ACP conference, placing the magazine among of the best publications of its kind in the country. Stuns chalks that success up to the student-focused, collaborative approach taken during the production process.

“I lead the class and teach the fundamentals, and offer my two cents on students’ work,” he said. “Other than that, we let students pitch what they want and let them shape their stories. It’s their vision, and one of my main goals as EIC is to never lose sight of that.”

Roberts is graduating in the fall, and has seen his future come into focus through his work with The Observer.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunities The Observer has given me to grow in my field,” he said. “I want to work in journalism once I graduate, and this is something that really gives students a stepping stone into that world.”

Mattesich and Stuns have a while left before they walk across the commencement stage, yet both of them have had a similar experience to Roberts’.

“Part of my coming here was to discover my passion, and I found that pretty directly through The Observer,” Mattesich said. “Sitting in the newsroom, writing these stories and doing this work, I’ve discovered my future career.”

“I came to Central because of the reputation of the student media and journalism program here,” Stuns added. “Everything I’ve learned at PULSE, from interviewing to AP style to leadership, has only confirmed that I made the right choice. Without this experience, I don’t know who or where I’d be.”