Whitman College Art-Literary Magazine Earns Gold Medal

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) recently awarded "gold medalist" honors to the 1999 issue of the Whitman College art and literary magazine.

Known simply as blue moon, the student-produced magazine gives Whitman students, faculty and alumni an opportunity to showcase prose, poetry and visual art.

The CSPA, which has been affiliated with New York's Columbia University since 1924, holds contests annually for student-edited newspapers and magazines. Whitman's 1999 literary magazine scored 976 on a scale of 1,000, well above the 925 score that separates gold and silver medalist recognition. Judging also includes bronze medal recognition.

The blue moon also received separate honors in the individual judging categories of concept, content, design, and creativity, noted Sonya K. Hess, a Whitman senior and editor of this year's magazine staff.

"The adjudication sheet we received was very detailed, indicating that the judges -- a group of 250 professionals -- had looked over the blue moon very closely," Hess said. "They complimented our poetry and prose sections, and they gave us very high scores in the concept and creativity sections."

This was the first time the blue moon was entered in the contest, Hess said. Katrina Roberts, an assistant professor of English and creative writing, suggested the contest, which provides student editors with recognition as well as helpful critiques.

Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson, who graduated from Whitman last May with honors in his writing major, was the editor of the 1999 blue moon.

"He and his staff did a fantastic job," Hess said. "We have a lot to live up to, but the challenge is also thrilling. Because the magazine has continued to improve, President Tom Cronin, Dean of Faculty Pat Keef, and many other campus offices have been generous in their support, allowing us to continually better the publication."

CONTACT:

Dave Holden, Whitman Communications Office, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu