The WKU School of Journalism and Broadcasting finished first place nationally in the Hearst Journalism Awards competition.

The SJ&B placed first in the overall competition, first in the photojournalism competition, first in the multimedia competition and fifth in the news writing competition.

“This is a prestigious, coveted award that the students are excited to enter,” said Jan Watten, program director of the Hearst awards, based in San Francisco.  

This is the ninth year that the SJ&B has finished in the top five in the Hearst competition, which is considered the Pulitzers of collegiate journalism.

WKU has finished in the top eight of the Hearst intercollegiate competition for 25 straight years, including No. 1 rankings in 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2018.

This was the seventh consecutive year for WKU to win the multimedia competition, and the 24th time in the past 29 years to win the photojournalism competition.

“Western’s photo department is quite outstanding,” Watten said. “We are so impressed when we see the work that they have submitted.”

This is a developing story, so check back for updates.

News reporter Nicole Ziege can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected]. Follow Nicole Ziege on Twitter at @NicoleZiege.