By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer
By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer
By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Awards

2024

Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)
Spring National College Media Conference, La Jolla

Best of Show Newspapers/Newsmagazines, four-year campus with 15,000 students or fewer
Third place: The Observer — by Staff, Central Washington University

Website, four-year campus with 15,000 students or fewer
Ninth place: The Observer online — by Staff, The Observer, Central Washington University

Design, Newspaper/Newsmagazine
Ninth place: Fueled by the fans — by Brandon Davis, The Observer, Central Washington University

Brandon Davis, Isaac Dobmeier, Isaac Hinson, Megan Foster, Charis Jones. (Photo by Yohanes Goodell)

2023

Society of Professional Journalists

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper
Finalist: The Observer — by Staff, Central Washington University

Best Affiliated Website
Winner: The Observer online — by Staff, The Observer, Central Washington University

General News Reporting (Small)
Finalist: Title IX cases sweep campus — by Katherine Camarata, Morgana Carroll, Brevin Ross, Glacie Kehoe-Padilla, The Observer, Central Washington University

2022

Society of Professional Journalists

Region 10 Mark of Excellence Awards – Finalist in the Best Affiliated Website

Region 10 Mark of Excellence Awards – Finalist in the General News Reporting
Local First Responders and Police Work to Combat Fentanyl Overdoses

2021

College Media Association

Pinnacle Awards – Second for Best Newspaper Feature Page/Spread
The Mystery of Presidential Candidate Ralph Dean Templeton: A Local Cold Case

The design was completed by Meghan Salsbury, a senior art major, and Rebekah Blum, a 2021 art graduate.

ACP “Best of Show” Award
The Observer got 2nd place for the best website in the category of more than 10,000 students.
The Observer got 9th place for best weekly newspaper.

2020

2020 ACP Spring Convention in San Francisco, CA. The Observer took home two Best of Show awards and placed 7th in 4-year weekly newspapers and websites.

Associated Collegiate Press Spring Convention
Honorable mentions Pinnacle Awards

Newspaper Page/Spread
“Delivery Methods Change Amidst Pandemic,” by Bekah Blum

“Delivery Methods Change Amidst Pandemic,” by Bekah Blum.

Best Newspaper Sports Page/Spread
“Wildcats Find Success in Nampa,” by Aiden Knabel.

“Wildcats Find Success in Nampa,” by Aiden Knabel.

 

2019

2019 ACP Midwinter Convention in La Jolla, CA. The Observer took home 6th place for Four-year Weekly Newspaper and 7th place for Four-year Website.

Society of Professional Journalist Regional Mark of Excellence Awards

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Classes continued in attempt to restore sense of normality – by Jack Belcher, Alexa Murdock and Mariah Valles, Central Washington University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: False active shooter incident – by Mariah Valles, Jack Belcher, Alexa Murdock and Hanson Lee, Central Washington University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Kyle Wilkinson, Central Washington University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: 11 years later: Remembering trio that rounded bases together – by Bryce Weedman, Central Washington University

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Deputy Thompson memorial – by Shawna Hettick, Central Washington University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Teagan Kimbro, Central Washington University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Community pushes for sustainability – by Mariah Valles, Central Washington University

2019 SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards – General News Photography (10,000+ Students): Community pushes for sustainability by Mariah Valles

Best Affiliated Web Site
Finalist: The Observer – Central Washington University

 

2018 

2018 ACP Midwinter Convention Best of Show in Long Beach, CA.

Society of Professional Journalist Regional Mark of Excellence Awards

General News Reporting (large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Professor under investigation for sexual misconduct, again – by Eric Rosane, Central Washington University

In-Depth Reporting (large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: CWU strives to increase concussion safety for athletes – by Hanson Lee, Central Washington University

General Column Writing (large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Mariah Valles, Central Washington University
Finalist: Alexa Murdock, Central Washington University

Feature Photography (large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Keeping the peace – by Xander Fu, Central Washington University

2018 SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards – Finalist, Feature Photography (10,000+ Students): Keeping the peace by Xander Fu

Photo Illustration (large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A mass shooting generation – by Jack Lambert, Central Washington University

2018 SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards – National Winner, Photo Illustration: A mass shooting generation by Jack Lambert

Sports Column Writing (large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Austin Lane, Central Washington University

National Society of Professional Journalist Mark of Excellence Awards

National Winner Photo Illustration Category
Winner: A mass shooting generation – by Jack Lambert, Central Washington University

Associated Collegiate Press Midwinter Convention Best of Show Awards

Best Four-year Weekly Newspaper
6th place: The Observer, Central Washington University

Best Four-year Website
7th place: The Observer, Central Washington University

2017

2017 ACP Spring Convention Best of Show in San Francisco, CA. The Observer took home Best of Show in the nation and placed in Top Ten.

Society of Professional Journalist Regional Mark of Excellence Awards

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Finalist: The Observer, Central Washington University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Student immigrants skeptical of Trump’s promises – by Daisy Perez, Central Washington University