Awards
2022
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
Pinnacle Awards – Second for Best Newspaper Feature Page/Spread
–The Mystery of Presidential Candidate Ralph Dean Templeton: A Local Cold Case
ACP- Won “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
ACP honorable mention Pinnacle Awards
Newspaper Page/Spread
- “Delivery Methods Change Amidst Pandemic,” by Bekah Blum
- “Wildcats Find Success in Nampa,” by Aiden Knabel.
2019
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
Best Affiliated Web Site
- Finalist: The Observer – Central Washington University
2018
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
Photo Illustration (large) 10,000+ Students
- Winner: A mass shooting generation – by Jack Lambert, Central Washington University
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
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