Loyola 2004 Journalism Students Awarded First Place in National Magazine Competition

August 2004 — Loyola College communication majors have won top honors in a prestigious competition in new magazine development.

The senior project of six Loyola College journalism students was judged to be the best among 17 entries in an annual contest sponsored by the Magazine Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC).

According to Prof. Andrew Ciofalo, in whose Magazine Publishing Senior Seminar the work was executed, "Loyola has been involved in submitting to this contest since its inception. While we regularly finish in the top three nationally, this is the first time we have won."

The other entries honored for high achievement came from the following institutions in descending order: Boston University, Northwestern University, University of Missouri and Northwestern (again).

The Loyola seniors, who were graduated in May 2004 were: Editor-in-chief Genia Basile (North Las Vegas, Nev.), Jennifer Pasonen (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.), Katherine Freemont-Smith (Exeter, N.H.), Michael Memoli (Oradell, N.J.), Sara Jerome (Middletown, Md.) and Tracey Giordano (Westford, Mass.).

The judge, Roger Tremblay of Publicitas North America, praising the caliber of students on the winning teams, said, "These people could go to work in the magazine industry right now and handle jobs that are above entry level. Amazing what happens when you combine good teaching with smart, motivated students."

Prof. Ciofalo responds that the "good teaching" in writing and design "occur throughout our program, well before the students ever show up in my class; my role is more like a mentor and facilitator. The seminar introduces them to leadership and teamwork and offers them a unique opportunity to display their creativity and independent thinking."

Prof. Ciofalo, who has written and edited a book on experiential learning, says that such project-based courses are typical of the curriculum in the media-related disciplines at Loyola: "Experiential learning is a hallmark of out program, and our advertising, public relations and digital media students do comparably excellent work."
The students conceived, designed and wrote the prototype for a new magazine, SUM, aimed at the emerging "metrosexual" male market. In their Business Prospectus the students define the target audience as "the urban male with a strong aesthetic sense who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle."

The title of the magazine links a series of "S" words to the "UM" of urban male. According to the mission statement, "SUM aims to broaden the definition of masculinity. You can't define the urban male with just one word. He is both smart and sophisticated, stylish and sexy. And so we leave the meaning of the 'S' open for your interpretation."

Tremblay echoed the students' perceptions: "Most of us in the business feel that metrosexuals are a trend rather than a fad and are here to stay. Advertisers love them."