TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Members of The University of Alabama’s student-run newspaper, The Crimson White (CW), won five awards in the Best of Collegiate Design contest, announced during the National College Media Convention in Dallas Nov. 5-9.

CW editorial staff members swept first and second place in the headline presentation category, which encompasses newspapers, magazines and yearbooks. Managing editor Kelly Cutchen of Eufaula won first place for the headline “Bar Wars” accompanying a story about the controversy over bar closing times in Tuscaloosa. A judge wrote, “Visually and literally, a play on ‘Star Wars’ that works in design and (most important) content.” Cutchen is now a graphic designer for City Magazine in Tuscaloosa.

CW sports editor Matt Giesman of Dothan and editor Stacy Whitlow of New Orleans won second place for the headline “Showtime” on a story about the Tide’s football match-up with Oklahoma in 2002. Whitlow is now a graphic designer for the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald. Giesman is a missionary in Nassau, Bahamas.

Giesman also won second place for best newspaper sports page design for the Oklahoma-Alabama Gameday page. Designer Brian Trippe of Lowell, Ind. won third place, best informational graphic, all publications, for a graphic titled “Alabama’s Appeal: Denied,” concerning the university’s appeal of NCAA sanctions. Designer Lauren Davidson of Madison won fourth place for her design of the CW’s standing page-one nameplate. Design professionals from across the country served as judges.

Paul Isom, director of the UA Office of Student Media, advises the editorial staff of the CW. He accompanied eight members of staff and one from WVUA-FM, to the College Media Convention where the awards were announced.

The CW's Jon Gargis of Tuscumbia, Charlie Gasner of Huntsville, Alyda Hardy of Columbus, Miss., Heather Henderson of Daphne, Elliot Knight of Opelika, Alex Merritt of Little Rock, Ark., Megan Nichols of Marion, and Chris Otts of New Orleans, plus WVUA-FM’s Mia Berling of Natchez, Miss., were among 2,700 students and advisers who attended the convention’s 400 break-out sessions, three keynote speakers and other media-related educational offerings. College Media Advisers Inc., and Associated Collegiate Press produced the convention.

Merritt, assistant CW sports editor, was a member of a panel titled "The Truth Hurts Less Than Silence." He, along with other panelists, discussed coverage of difficult issues on campuses. Merritt addressed the NCAA sanctions that have dominated CW headlines in recent years.

Andy Duncan, assistant director of student media, led a session titled "Freelancing Online: Why Do It?" and critiqued the online version of the Arbiter at Idaho State. Terry Siggers, adviser of WVUA-FM, moderated a roundtable for faculty and staff involved in broadcast advising.