Awards
2025
Associated College Press (ACP)
Winter National College Media Conference, Long Beach
Best of Show Newspapers/Newsmagazines, four-year campus with 15,000 students or fewer
Sixth Place: The Observer — by Staff, Central Washington University
Website, four year campus with 15,000 students or fewer
Sixth Place: The Observer –by Brandon Mattesich & Jackson Roberts, Staff, Central Washington University
2024
Best of Show Newspapers/Newsmagazines, four-year campus with 15,000 students or fewer
Third Place: The Observer –by Staff, Central Washington University
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
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
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
Associated Collegiate Press Spring Convention
Honorable mentions Pinnacle Awards
Newspaper Page/Spread
“Delivery Methods Change Amidst Pandemic,” by Bekah Blum
Best Newspaper Sports Page/Spread
“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
