NSU Horizons magazine wins first place in Sunshine State Journalism awards

NSU Horizons magazine wins first place in Sunshine State Journalism awards 2010 issues win for story selection and design. NSU’s wellness magazine also wins top awards for a national writing competition.

Nova Southeastern University Public Affairs Director Julie Spechler (l) and Horizons Managing Editor Oline Cogdill ( r ) accept first place Sunshine State award from SPJ South Florida President Michael Koretzk

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Horizons magazine won first place in the trade/special interest publication category during the  2011 Sunshine State Awards.  The statewide journalism competition, which recognizes Florida’s best work of 2010, is presented by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), South Florida Pro Chapter. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday, June 11.

In this year’s competition, more than 600 entries — from print, television, radio and online media — were evaluated by news professionals in other states. Comments from the judges included ”I enjoyed most everything about the magazine.  The story selection was diverse and intriguing, and the design was aesthetically pleasing.”

“We strive to make sure Horizons is a quality publication, which we distribute to more than 130,000 alumni, faculty and staff,” said Nova Southeastern University’s Julie Spechler, Director of Public Affairs and Executive Editor for the 2010 winning publications. “This award from such a prestigious organization validates our work.”

The winning magazines were Diving into Research, spring 2010, and NSU’s Family Therapy Program Adds Horse Power, fall 2010. The magazine is produced twice a year.  Public Affairs Associate Directors Ken Ma, M.B.A.; Andra Liwag; Alan Hancock, M.A.; and Felecia Henderson, M.S., were the magazine’s staff writers.  The issues were under the direction of NSU’s  Executive Editor Julie Spechler, Managing Editor Oline H. Cogdill, NSU’s Publications Director Ron Ryan and Associate Director/Senior Graphic Designer Susan Hayward.

Horizons, which was launched during the fall of 2005, is the university’s premier communications channel, highlighting NSU’s news, academics and research. To view the magazines visit https://nsunews.nova.edu/horizons/

“Horizons is our way of showing  the world the innovative education and research that occurs at NSU,” said Cogdill. “Horizons is a team effort and our hard work was illustrated in these award-winning issues. We are very proud to receive this recognition.”

Earlier this week NSU’s Office of Public Affairs was informed the same two Horizons issues won two Communicator Awards given by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.

In addition, NSU’s wellness magazine, Wellness Made Simple, managed by Associate Director of Public Affairs and Managing Editor Ken Ma, M.B.A., and Managing Editor and Associate Director of Campus Recreation Marcela Sandigo, M.B.A, also won two Communicator Awards.

The magazine won in two categories: Feature Writing, which won the Gold Communicator Award; and Interior Design, which won the Silver Communicator Award. These awards were based on the wellness magazine’s second issue, which came out in the Fall 2010.

The winning issue of Wellness Made Simple explores healthy eating and the six dimensions of wellness: social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional. It features stories that matter most to people in their quest to live a healthy lifestyle and experience the joy of wellness.

Special thanks to designer Randy McCafferty from NSU’s Office of Publications; freelance photographer Bob Eghmie; and all our gifted writers, who are students, faculty, and staff members at NSU.

“These awards are a reflection of the talented team of writers, designers, and photographers who have worked hard to make this magazine the very best it can be,” Ma said.

To read the issue, please click on this link: http://www.nova.edu/wellness/forms/magazine.pdf

About the Society of Professional Journalists

The Society of Professional Journalists is the oldest and largest professional journalism organization in the country. SPJ’s South Florida Pro Chapter, which serves journalists in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties, was named 2010 Chapter of the Year. Net proceeds from the chapter’s Sunshine State Awards competition support scholarships for high school and college students and professional development opportunities for working journalists.  For additional information on SPJ visit http://www.spjsofla.net/

About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 29,000 students and is the seventh largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu

For additional information contact:
Dave Dawson

954.262.2119 (office)

954.931.3306 (cell)