The Society of Professional Journalists is the oldest and most distinguished national broad-based organization recognized in the journalism profession.

Cal State Fullerton Communications students walked away with a total of 6 Mark of Excellence Awards at the 2006 conference in Pasadena. Many awards were presented to students from the CSUF Communications Department.

The most prestigious awards went to Cal State Fullerton's Tusk Magazine staff who share First-Place accolades Best Student Magazine. Tusk also took First-Place for Best All-Around Online Student Magazine.

Shannon Anchaleechamikorn and Theresa Vergara shared First-Place, Mahsa Khalilifar and David Pardo won Second-Place for Tusk in Photo Illustration.

Mahsa Khalilifar’s won Third-Place for her piece on visiting Iran where she was born and how her life would have turned out differently if she had stayed.

Valerie Swayne, Desdemona Bandini, Stan Chambers and Peter Martinez

Senior print journalism student Desdemona Bandini watched longtime news veteran Stan Chambers of Channel 5 KTLA receive his lifetime achievement award from The Society of Professionals Journalists last year, and was there when The Associated Press Television and Radio Association conference when he had the APTRA Lifetime Achievement Award named after him.

At the SPJ Regional Conference, Chambers was on hand to return the favor when Desdemona Bandini took Second-Place in the competitive category of feature writing for the Daily Titan for her article on a company called LifeGem that takes the cremated remains of your deceased loved one or pet and turns them into a unique diamond memorial.

Student leaders obtained funding from the college Interclub Council (SOAR-IIC) to attend conferences that are intended to enhance professional development.

Written by: Desdemona Bandini