Photo: Joey Gale

On Tuesday, faculty members of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and students gathered in the atrium of Meredith Hall to congratulate senior Sarah Andrews, who received the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Award.

Andrews, a magazines and graphic design double major, was the photo editor for The Times-Delphic during the 2009-10 academic year. In the spring of 2010, news of a student death shook the university. While the staff was working on the next issue the day the news broke, she heard a memorial service was being held for the student. She attended the event to take photos.

Andrews said it was about 6 p.m. when she attended and the sun was setting, but she had just gotten a new lens for low light, so it worked out.

“It was one of my favorite things we did,” Andrews said.

The photograph that came from the memorial was nominated for the award and became a national finalist — and then it placed first in SPJ’s Region Seven.

Assistant professor of journalism Jill Van Wyke said that over 4,000 photos were entered into the contest.

Journalism professors Lori Blachford and Jeff Inman along with Van Wyke presented Andrews with a framed copy of her photo and the award that was given to her by SPJ.

Andrews was also recently recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press for her infographic on the front page of the 2011 Times-Delphic Relays Edition.

She has been recognized by the Iowa College Media Association for her photography portfolio as well as her work in design and infographics.

Last year, Andrews also assisted the THINK magazine staff with its cover design.