TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama’s daily student newspaper, The Crimson White (CW), was awarded a Silver Crown at the spring College Media Advisers Convention, designating the CW as one of the 14 best collegiate newspapers in the nation.

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) announced the awards for collegiate publications at the convention, sponsored by College Media Advisers Inc. The awards convocation took place last month in New York City.

Stacy Whitlow of Metarie, La., and Luke Connell of Cullman accepted the CW award from Laura Schaub of the board of crown judges. Whitlow is the 2002-2003 CW editor and Connell was the 2001-2002 CW editor, the year for which the award was given.

Several University of Alabama student writers also received Collegiate Gold Circle awards recognizing individual achievement, including the following:

• Evan Woodbery of Memphis, Tenn.: third place, best sports news writing, "NCAA Levies Post-season Ban"
• Brian Trippe of Lowell, Ind.: third place, best photo page layout, single page, "Sights of Sept. 11th"
• Dan Murphy of Peekskill, N.Y.: certificate of merit, best feature page design, color broadsheet, "Wasting Away"
• Andy Floyd: second place, best sports cartoon, "Captain Sorensen"

Corolla yearbook Circle winners were:

• Donnie Smith of Homewood: second place, color spread design, "Facilities Upgrades;" certificate of merit for cover design, "Corolla 2002 Cover;" certificate of merit, end sheets design, "Corolla 2002 Front Endsheets;" certificate of merit, opening and closing spread design, "Corolla 2002 Closing Section;" certificate of merit, student life spread design, "Homecoming"
• Sarah Fleischman of Columbia, S.C., and Smith: certificate of merit, student life spread design, "Dance Alabama"

The annual Crown Awards program attracted 1,550 entries from more than 1,700 of CSPA’s member publications from the 2001-2002 academic year. Publications were judged on writing and editing, design, content, concept, photography, art and graphics.

Gold Crowns have been awarded annually since 1982, and Silver Crowns have been given since 1984. During this time, The CW has won two Gold Crown awards and two Silver Crown awards. The CSPA is an international student press association uniting student journalists and faculty advisers at schools and colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges and award programs.