Dominican Star Staff Recognized with 13 Awards at College Press Association Conference

The staff of Dominican University's student newspaper, the Dominican Star, took home a record 13 awards at the annual Illinois College Press Association Conference, held Feb. 20 and 21 in Chicago.

The awards recognize the students’ work in 2025. The student journalists, photographers and graphic designers competed against student news organizations from smaller colleges and universities across Illinois.

The awards included:

• 1st Place, News Photo: Julian Gutierrez, Protest Photo ("Say It Loud, Say it Clear"), Dec. 3, 2025. 

• 2nd Place, News Story: Betsy Carreño and Michael Del Genio, "TPUSA Proposed at Dominican," Oct. 22, 2025.

• 2nd Place, Feature Story: Jocelyn Ramirez, "Meet Sister Christin," March 19, 2025.

• 2nd Place, Feature Page Design: Dominican Star Staff, "Say It Loud, Say it Clear," Dec. 3, 2025.

• 2nd Place, Editorial: Dominican Star Staff (Betsy Carreño, co-editor), Dec. 3, 2025.

• 3rd Place, News Story: Bianca Dinkha, "Dominican Projects $3 Million Deficit," Sept. 10, 2025. 

• 3rd Place, Editorial Page Design: Dominican Star Staff, Oct. 1, 2025.

• Honorable Mention, Headline Writing: Bianca Dinkha and Betsy Carreño.

• Honorable Mention, Sports Game Story: Michael Del Genio.

• Honorable Mention, Sports Photography: Julian Gutierrez.

• Honorable Mention, Feature Photography: Julian Gutierrez.

• Honorable Mention, Front Page Design: Dominican Star Staff.

• Honorable Mention, Feature Page Design: Dominican Star Staff.

"The students on the Star have worked hard all year covering their community, and it is great to see them recognized for their success,” said Dr. John Jenks, adviser to the Dominican Star. “They won in all the major categories and all the major areas—news, features, sports, photography, design and opinion. Dominican should be proud of them. I know I am."

During the two-day conference, students also gained networking experience, attended more than a dozen specialized sessions and received a professional critique of their work.