Editor-in-chief, Michael Reer and Managing Editor, Mary Brinkopf, pose with the plaque for Runner-Up Newspaper of the Year.

The Observer at Boston College won Runner-Up for Paper of the Year at the Annual Editor’s Conference sponsored by the Collegiate Network (CN) in San Antonio, Texas. The award was the second CN award that The Observer has in addition to the 2006 award for Paper of the Year.

The two day Editor’s Conference brought together 113 independent college campus newspapers across the continental United States. The conference was sponsored by the CN which was founded in 1979. The CN strives to provide support through grants, internships and jobs to independent college newspapers.

The organization’s goal is to make newspapers less reliant on university funding to preserve the voices of their editorial boards. The conference aimed to promote networking among the plethora of newspapers and magazines and interaction with professional journalists.

Editors attended a welcome dinner at the Hyatt Regency, centered across the street from the historic Alamo and the infamous Riverwalk. The Riverwalk, a popular tourist destination, has multiple shops and bars along the San Antonio River.

At the dinner, the director of the Collegiate Network, Amanda Yasenchak, and Executive Director Douglas Minson, made opening remarks about the future of independent journalism and encouraged editors to continue pursuing journalism. Yasenchak presented individual awards to students for investigative journalism.

On the second day of the conference, a series of workshops were held throughout the day. Workshops focused on a variety of topics ranging from investigative journalism to website maintenance. Students heard from guest speakers at these workshops including investigative journalist James O’Keefe, who gained popularity this past year for his role as a pimp in an undercover video while investigating the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).

O’Keefe, a former Editor-in-chief of The Centurion from Rutgers University, urged students to police their universities to make sure the university pursues the best course for students.

O’Keefe shared excerpts from his college days and his crusades, including his campaign to get the cereal Lucky Charms banned from the dining halls because he viewed the Irish American “Lucky” on the front as offensive. O’Keefe was successful in his battle. He proceeded to write an article in his paper claiming the university was too sensitive towards minority relations.

A series of panels were held throughout the day which included topics: the pros and cons of an independent newspaper or magazine receiving funding from its university and printing controversial stories and appropriate actions to take.

Students also had the opportunity for their papers to be critiqued by the production director from The Weekly Standard, Philip Chalk. Chalk gave editors tips for design and layout for publications.

At the concluding dinner, speakers such as Victorino Matus from The Weekly Standard spoke on the highlights of a career in journalism. Another set of awards were given out: Best New Publication, New Media Award, Best Newspaper Layout, Best Magazine Layout, and Paper of the Year.

This year, the CN decided to award a Runner-Up for Paper of the Year because it felt that one award would not be adequate. The Observer at Boston College received Runner-Up for Paper of the Year for its coverage of crucifixes placed in BC classrooms, a story which was picked up by The Boston Herald, The Boston Globe and other news affiliates and its exposing the Theology Department’s sponsoring of The Vagina Monologues.

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