Date: Jan 22, 2008

Hofstra Broadcast Journalism Students Rank Nationally for Hearst Journalism Awards

Two Student Reporters Place in Top Five in First Round of Competition

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Two Hofstra University students have been honored with the distinction of outstanding performance in college level journalism by The Hearst Journalism Awards program.

Watch Video of the Finalists

Lauren Brookmeyer, who placed fist in the 2007 Hearst competitions, and Kim Saltmarsh, who placed 3rd, are among the top 5 finalists in the first round of competition in this highly selective award process. Lauren and Kim bested contestants from schools such as the University of North Carolina and Northwestern University in the Hearst Competition One Radio Features category.

Lauren and Kim, both reporters at WRHU Radio Hofstra University, were selected from among 43 radio and 65 television entries submitted. This is the sixth consecutive year that a WRHU student reporter has placed in the top 10 of the first round of competition. The two students are now eligible for a second round of judging. Following the semi-final round, five students in radio and five students in television will be chosen to compete in the program's national broadcast news championships in San Francisco, along with winners of the writing and photojournalism competitions.  The final winners will be named in April.

Lauren and Kim’s top 5 finishes have allowed Hofstra to be ranked second among Universities in the Intercollegiate Broadcast News Competition with the second highest accumulated student points from the radio and television competitions. Lauren has received $2,000 in scholarship money for her placement and Kim has received $1,000.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was created in 1960 to recognize, reward and inspire exceptional journalism education in the United States. The annual program rewards outstanding achievement though six monthly competitions in writing, three in photojournalism, two in radio broadcast and two in television broadcast news. With Championship Finals in all four divisions, the program offers up to $500,000 in awards.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, and a School of Law.