The Jay and Gail Milner Distinguished Student Journalism Awards recognize excellence in student media produced by TCU journalism students each year, continuing the legacy of Jay Milner, a former professor of journalism at Schieffer College.
Gail Milner, who worked at TCU and whose family was prominent in Fort Worth ranching and legal circles, established the annual awards following Jay Milner’s death in 2011.
The awards also carry a financial gift for recipients. The selections are from submissions of student journalists who work for TCU student media. Gail called these awards a “natural fit” for her husband’s legacy.
This year’s recipients highlight the range of TCU’s Student Media:
Photos: Work by Keegan Schmidt
Video Story: Work by Macy Bayer
Newsletter: Work by Perrin Gilman
Social Media Breaking News: Work by Perrin Gilman
Social Media: Work by Perrin Gilman
Visual Storytelling: “TCU Silver Frogs redefine learning after 50” by Macy Bayer
Sports Writing: “TCU golfer earns an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur” by Shaffer Dale
Explanatory: “Recent cartel violence in Mexico disrupts some TCU travel plans” by Shaffer Dale
Feature Writing: “Horned Frogs’ time machine: How Fans Vintage stitches TCU’s past to its present” by Sydney Jansen
Story of the Year: “A gem among ivory: Life lessons from a longtime piano professor” by Caleb Gottry
Reporter of the Year: Shaffer Dale
Editor of the Year: Drew Muller
Our student journalists also earned recognition at the state level through the Texas Managing Editors and Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards, which honor outstanding journalism across Texas, including college and university publications.
Texas Managing Editors awards recognize work in partnership with the Headliners Foundation of Texas, highlighting excellence in reporting, visuals and production:
Infographics – first place, Work by Ella Funke
Infographics – third place, Work by Kylie Beykirch
Sports Feature – second place, Work by Drew Muller,
Video – Honorable Mention, Work by Colin McThorn and Caleb Gottry
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards recognize student journalism across multiple categories:
Sports News Story – first place, “No perfect people allowed: How TCU FCA staff builds faith through sports” by Darius M. Adams
Sports Game Story – second place, “Thunderstruck: TCU fends off late Baylor surge in stormy football showdown” by Roderick Villareal
Multimedia Feature – first place, “Three’s company: How a decade-old law failed to protect family housing near TCU” by Kylie Beykirch
Social Media General Coverage – first place, “Tuition increase” by Caleb Gottry
Social Media Overall Excellence – third place, TCU 360 Social Media by Caleb Gottry and Perrin Gilman
Website Overall Excellence – first place, TCU 360 by Caleb Gottry, Paris Goodman and Drew Muller
Strategic Communicator of the Year, four-year schools – 1st place, Perrin Gilman