Cal State LA’s journalism students and faculty are making waves in the industry as they celebrate being named finalists for 10 prestigious awards at the Los Angeles Press Club’s 67th Southern California Journalism Awards.
Among these nominations, six fall under the Student Media categories, showing the depth of talent within the university.
In a recent statement, Jackson Tammariello, who has just completed his tenure as managing editor of the University Times, emphasized the significance of these accolades.
“It shows everybody on our team that we’re doing important work,” he expressed.
Tammariello highlighted the dedication required for student media roles, noting the numerous challenges faced by the staff, including tight deadlines and a commitment to journalistic excellence.
He added, “There are working professionals in the industry who recognize the work, the deadlines we go through, the late nights, and sometimes literal blood, sweat, and tears. They see that we’re worth being honored in some way, whether it’s making a nomination list or even potentially winning.”
The awards ceremony is set for Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, a night that promises to celebrate journalistic achievements across the region.
University Times, known for its print publication released every other Wednesday, operates with a small, dedicated staff of around 20 students throughout both the fall and spring semesters.
Working under these constraints, the student journalists must adapt to various roles including reporter, editor, or photographer, ensuring that vital news reaches the community in a timely manner.
Tammariello shared that roles within the team are flexible, stating, “We had a listing of who’s who and which position each person filled in our staff, but everybody had to juggle different positions at one point. That’s just the nature of student media.”
The nominations in the Student Media categories highlight the impressive range of work completed by Cal State LA students.
The nominations include:
– Best College News Website: University Times
– Best News Writing, Campus Issues: Anne To for “CSU faculty strike ends after one day – but not everyone is happy about it.”
– Best News Writing, Off Campus Issues: Tupac Zapata for “Student breaks news of famed Cafe Tropical re-opening.”
– Best Feature Writing, Campus Issues: Marcos Franco for “Cal State LA Latino students reflect on mental health, cultural stigmas.”
– Best TV or Stream Reporting: the Social Media Storytelling Team for “Los Angeles’ Latinx Landmarks.”
– Best Radio or Podcast Reporting: the Race, Class & Gender in American Journalism team for “Mixed: SoCal Stories of Divisions & Belonging.”
In addition to the student accolades, Cal State LA competes in Professional Media categories such as Blog and Group work, showcasing their versatility and strength against tough competitors.
Notably, the Professional Media finalists include leading organizations such as the Los Angeles Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and KCRW, making the competition formidable.
This year’s awards garnered an unprecedented number of entries, with over 2,500 nominations received—the highest ever recorded by the LA Press Club.
During the ceremony, special honorees will include noted figures from journalism and entertainment.
Bill Plaschke, a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, will receive the Joseph M. Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement.
In addition, CNN international correspondent Clarissa Ward will be honored with the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism, while actress Kim Fields will receive the Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award for her contributions to civic life.
The recognition of Cal State LA’s University Times at such a high-profile awards ceremony underscores the importance of student media in the ever-evolving landscape of journalism.
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