Hunter Spheric Win National Award
CUNY Takes Top Prizes 2 Years Straight
By Sonia Robinson, Contributing Writer
The 2nd annual Campus Alternative Journalism Awards named Hunter College's Spheric newspaper runner-up as "Best Campus Alternative Publication of the Year." Spheric also won first place for Design and Hell Raising, as well as receiving honorable mention for Sense of Humor and Anti-Racist Reporting.
One of the judges, Denise Grabb, of the National Radio Project, says Spheric is "a political and artistic embodiment of life on the New York City streets, situated in America. Deep, moody and truthful."
The Campus Alternative Journalism Awards were created to encourage alternative journalism on campus and to recognize the contribution of student journalists to free thought in their campuses and communities. The awards were sponsored by the Campus Alternative Journalism Project/Center for Campus Organizing.
Sonya Huber, project coordinator for the Awards, says "There are so many campus papers that cover what isn't mainstream and don't get recognized. The awards help draw attention to the student activists and writers who contribute to these publications." She also said "I think the Spheric is one of the most outspoken and politically sharp papers and very well put together."
Rachel Laforest, President of the Undergraduate Student Government, says that she "always enjoys the political thrust with a little bit of humor tied in to the Spheric." Laforest also says that the editors have a way of putting a clever twist on everyday life in their pieces.
Appreciation came from Hunter College's president David Caputo when he wrote via e-mail in response to how he felt about Spheric's awards. He said that he is "very pleased they have been honored. It is a tribute to their work and ability." He wishes Spheric continued success.
One of Spheric's former editors, Jed Brandt, feels "great that the CUNY media is getting the recognition it deserves." The Spheric is just one of Hunter's many publications which cater to many different groups, and as another judge from the Campus Alternative Journalism Awards said "It's clear that this is not a starchy all-white staff putting this publication out." Spheric’s staff reflects the diversity at Hunter College and in all of CUNY.
Spheric started out about 10 years ago. Since then, it has become, among other things, a primary organizational tool for the college's Undergraduate Student Government. Spheric's award winning editing staff consisted of Asif Ullah, Jed Brandt, Keith Mitchell, Jeremy Landess and Zachary Arcidiacono.
Spheric has a little something for everyone, from current news issues
and politics to moving poetry, powerful and persuasive opinion pieces and
hilarious classified advertising. It isn't limited to Hunter College;
Spheric is read by many students CUNY-wide and can be found on many other
university campuses around the city.
