Scott Hums, a third-year telecommunications major, has won the National Mark of Excellence Award for Outstanding Student Journalism in the annual contest by the Society of Professional Journalists.

The organization announced the results of its national collegiate awards last weekend as part of the 2002 SPJ National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. The national winners received their awards at a luncheon on Sept. 14.

Hums, who is from Granger, Ind., videotaped and edited a story last fall focusing on a protest at Indiana University's Bloomington campus against American military involvement in Afghanistan.

The story was shown on NewsCenter 43, Ball State's student-run cable television news program, as well as CNN. NewsCenter 43 operates as a student bureau for the cable news network.

"Scott is a very talented photographer," said Phil Bremen, telecommunications professor and faculty advisor to NewsCenter 43's news program. "Most people these days count on television for their understanding of the world beyond their immediate lives. The way Scott shoots and edits a story is the next best thing to being there and experiencing it yourself."

Hums is a production manager for NewsCenter 43. He also works part-time as a photojournalist for WNDU-TV in South Bend.

The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to improving and protecting journalism. It is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.