Student journalists earned seven awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Region 5 Mark of Excellence Awards in Louisville April 20-21.

IDS staff won first place for best all-around newspaper, a first place for online news reporting for "IU Mourns" and a second place in breaking news reporting for "IU Mourns."

Inside Magazine staff won first place for best student magazine.

IDS photographer K.A. MacDonald and designer Nina Mehta won a first place for their photo illustration, "Internet Junkies."

IDS reporter and graduate student Molly K. Brush won second place for her article, "Who Killed Michael Plume?"

IDS photographer Aaron Bernstein won a third place in sports photography for "A Bid Farewell."

The awards presentation was the last event in a two-day conference at the University of Louisville. Dean Brad Hamm and professor Chris Ogan were panelists during the conference, which included workshops, break-out sessions and professional critiques of students' work.