“Louisiana Focus,” a weekly radio news program produced by University of Louisiana students, earned a top regional award presented by the Society of Professional Journalists.


It was named the “Best All-Around Radio Newscast” at the recent SPJ Region 12 Spring Conference held at McNeese State University. Region 12 is composed of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards honor the best examples of collegiate journalism from the previous year.


“Louisiana Focus,” is broadcast on Sunday mornings on Radio Lafayette, 106.3. It’s prepared by students taking a broadcasting class taught by Dr. Bill Davie, a professor and coordinator of the University’s Mass Communication/Broadcast program.


Entries in the SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Awards are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. First-place and finalist awards are presented.


Regional first-place winners advance to the national SPJ Mark of Excellence award competition. National winners will be recognized at a convention in Orlando, Fla., in September.


UL senior Heather Hailar received finalist awards for a radio feature about the historic Oliver Pollock Oak Tree near Washington, La., which was endangered by traffic, and a radio news report about revamping the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.


Mike Francingues, also a UL student, was a finalist in the editorial writing category for work published in The Vermilion, the University’s student newspaper.

Louisiana.edu