ISSUED: 22 April 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s student newspaper, The Picket, has been ranked First Class by the Associated Collegiate Press.
The paper scored 865 out of a possible 1,090 points and earned three marks of distinction in coverage and content, writing and editing, and leadership.
Dr. James Lewin, professor of English and modern languages and The Picket faculty advisor, said The Picket is the voice of the student body at Shepherd and is most concerned with the evaluation of its readers.
“The critique by the Associated Collegiate Press provides a reality check from an outside observer. I am very happy for the editors and writers whose hard work has been acknowledged by the latest ACP ranking,” he said. “This year The Picket has set a benchmark for the future. With a few more points and one extra mark of distinction The Picket could merit the status of “All American,” an ACP designation reserved for very few student publications.”
In addition to the score, ranking, and marks of distinction, the ACP critique of The Picket also noted strengths and weaknesses and gave recommendations for improvement.
“This is a strong publication and the staff does so many things well. Was also impressed when I saw 20 students are on staff for a weekly publication,” the judge wrote. “Staff should be commended for the variety of stories. Each issue has a good mix of hard and soft news, providing something for everyone.”
The Picket publishes 25 issues through the fall and spring semesters with the new issue available Wednesdays. Its website is www.supicket.com.
The ACP is a division of the National Scholastic Press Association based and incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit educational association which provides journalism education services to students, teachers, media advisers, and others throughout the United States and in other countries.
— 30 —