UT Student Newspaper, The Minaret, Is Recognized for Excellence

The University of Tampa’s student newspaper, The Minaret, has recently received recognitions for excellence from the Florida College Press Association (FCPA), the Associated College Press (ACP) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

In the 2013 FCPA awards, The Minaret was named the third best weekly student newspaper in Florida. Judges said The Minaret is a “clearinghouse of a wide range of views and topics that is representative of its student body. It does a great job of promoting open discussions and a diversity of opinions.” Florida Atlantic University’s University Press took the top prize in that category.

The Minaret was also named the best college magazine in Florida, and reporter Stef Crocco garnered a second place in the category Feature Writing–Weekly for her story about veterans on campus.

SPJ recognized The Minaret in its 2012 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 3, which comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The Minaret won second place in the category Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (Medium). First place in that category went to The Flor-Ala of the University of North Alabama.

Additionally, Alex Caraballo was recognized with a third place in the category General Column Writing (Medium).

Lastly, The Minaret’s online newspaper, The Minaret Online (www.theminaretonline.com), was recently named a finalist in the 2013 ACP Online Pacemaker contest.

The Minaret Online is in the category of 5,001-10,000 enrollment, along with 10 other finalists. Other finalists in that category include online newspapers at Syracuse University, University of Chicago, Harvard University and the University of North Florida. The winners will be announced at the 92nd annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in October.

The Minaret’s 2012-2013 editor in chief is Josh Napier, and its advisor is Dan Reimold, assistant professor of journalism.

Reimold said The Minaret’s recent success can be partially attributed to the demand in UT’s two-year-old journalism program.

“We have two senior editors preparing to leap into the professional field,” Reimold said. “And with our magazine award still glowing, the students are next putting out a special graduation magazine edition.”