GCPA meets for Press Institute on Feb. 28 in Athens
The GCPA Press Institute was Feb. 28 at the Russell Special Collections Library at the University of Georgia.
Speakers included Niya Coleman of Flytedesk, Mike Buffington of MainStreet Newspapers, Dr. Amanda Bright of the University of Georgia, Jim Zachary of CNHI, Dave Williams of Capitol Beat News Service and Hunter Riggall of the Marietta Daily Journal.
There were 93 first-, second- and third-place awards given to college students recognizing journalistic excellence for work done in the spring and fall of 2024. The Red & Black at the University of Georgia was awarded first place in General Excellence. Campus Carrier of Berry College was recognized with the second-place General Excellence award and The Technique of Georgia Tech won third place in General Excellence.
To see the complete awards presentation, please click here: GCPA BNC 2025 Web version
A special thanks is given to the Press Institute sponsors:
• flytedesk and Director of Publisher Development Niya Coleman
• Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
We also want to thank The Red & Black, Charlotte Varnum, Kayla Renie and staff for hosting a pre-conference mixer on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the newspaper office in Athens.
Jim Zachary of CNHI presented Jenna Arnold of The Spectator with the Watchdog of the Year Award. The Spectator is the student newspaper of Valdosta State University, and Arnold and The Spectator’s staff were honored for the most impactful coverage of a story in the last session of the day leading up to the GCPA Better Newspaper Contest Awards.
Interested in joining the Georgia College Press Association for 2025-2026?
If your college newspaper or online publication is interested in joining GCPA for the 2025-26 school year to be eligible for the college newspaper contest and to attend Press Institute, download this application: GCPA application. It can be returned to Sean Ireland at [email protected].
Georgia College Press Association allows young journalists, designers, advertising representatives and others interested in media at colleges and universities from across Georgia to network, learn and share ideas and work.
As you consider GCPA membership, please keep in mind the following benefits:
• GCPA Better Newspaper Contest (Rules will be available online, and contest will open in late November.)
• GPEF scholarship and internship opportunities
• Networking opportunities with peers and industry professionals
Apply for scholarships from Georgia Press Educational Foundation
Students interested in newspaper journalism as a career can learn about scholarship and internship opportunities from Georgia Press Educational Foundation at www.gapress.org/georgia-press-educational-foundation/. Applications are due March 1.
| 2024-25 GCPA MEMBER NEWSPAPERS |
| The Stallion Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College https://abacstallion.com/ The Bell Ringer Campus Carrier Six Mile Post Technique The Cluster The Red & Black The Spectator The West Georgian |
Georgia College Press Association
GEORGIA COLLEGE PRESS ASSOCIATION is an organization dedicated to assisting in the betterment of Georgia collegiate journalism and providing a reciprocal flow of information between its member colleges. Membership to GCPA is an excellent opportunity for print journalism students to discuss common issues of college newspapers and to network with newspaper professionals.
GCPA Membership Information:
Membership entitles your newspaper to:
GCPA press cards for each staff member
Entry in the GCPA Better Newspaper Contest
2 copies of the monthly GPA Bulletin
with industry information and job board
Student rates on all GPA educational seminars
and conferences
GPEF scholarship and internship information
Contact [email protected] for more information
* Dues are based on OFFICAL ENROLLMENT at the university or college. Rates are as follows:
1 – 4,999 students = $40
5,000+ students = $60
Membership Application
For a membership application, please contact: Sean Ireland
at (770) 454-6776 or email her at [email protected].