VERMILLION, S.D. -- Five students from the University of South Dakota Contemporary Media & Journalism Department received honors at the 2012 Midwest Journalism Conference at Minneapolis, Minn., on March 31.

Receiving Eric Sevareid Awards, as presented by the Northwest Broadcast News Association, from KAOR-FM Radio at USD were Jerry Palleschi of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Chris Dexter of Phoenix, Ariz. Palleschi and Dexter were awarded first place in two categories: Sportscast/Program and Sports Play-by-Play. They were recognized for their outstanding production work on the program “Beyond the Court: Football Coach Fired” and their production skills on the “USD football vs. Missouri S&T” play-by-play broadcast.

News Director Cassie Bartlett of Sioux Falls, and co-anchors Scott Cook of Gurnee, Ill., and Joette Karlson of North St. Paul, Minn., received an Award of Merit for their contributions to the Coyote Radio News, Nov. 9, 2011 newscast. Graduate Assistant Adviser to KAOR is Kyle Miller while Michelle Van Maanen, CMJ department chair, serves as the adviser for Coyote News.

The 2012 Midwest Journalism Conference awards covered professionals and students in a six-state region of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota.

Download a photo of recipients with their awards. Pictured are (from left) Kyle Miller, Joette Karlson, Jerry Palleschi, Chris Dexter and Nate Puhl.

Download a photograph of Karlson and Cassie Bartlett with their first place award.

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