By Selena Stevens

The Kentucky Kernel won 13 first-place awards out of 36 categories, eight secon-place awards, seven third-place awards and 16 honorable mentions.

The Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association met Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. In the KIPA competition, the state’s university newspapers enter student works in news writing, design, layout, photography, sports coverage, arts coverage, advertising and more.

The Kentucky Kernel walked away with 44 awards, including13 first-place awards out of 36 categories. The newspaper staff also won eight-second place awards, seven third-place awards and 16 honorable mentions.

Kernel staff member Chris Rosenthal, who garnered three first place, three second place and two third place awards, was named Journalist of the Year. Rosenthal is the newspaper's production manager.

"The awards showed we are strong in offering good design and quality content, which we've been emphasizing," said Mike Agin, student media adviser at UK. "But I think Kentucky overall is showing a very strong educational program for journalism, whether we're talking about news, design or advertising.”

The Kentucky Kernel competes in Division A, which includes the College Heights Herald of Western Kentucky University, The Murray State News of Murray State University, The Louisville Cardinal of University of Louisville, The Eastern Progress of Eastern Kentucky University, The Northerner of Northern Kentucky University and The Trail Blazer of Morehead State University.

The Kernel also was this year’s recipient of the National Pacemaker, college journalism's top award given by the national Associated College Press.