Gannon University’s student-produced literary arts magazine, Totem, has received two awards from the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) for the 2018 edition.
Totem won First Place with Special Merit and Most Outstanding University Literary-Art Magazine for 2018.
The publication was given these awards as a reflection of the hard work and efforts of the Totem staff.
“Your magazine shows the superior efforts of talented and creative editors, writers, artists photographers, layout/graphics designers, staff members, contributors and advisor,” an ASPA judge said in regards to the publication.
“Totem is a model for those up-and-coming magazines and an inspiration for those that haven’t quite aced the necessary skills.”
The magazine was judged on a variety of categories including content coverage, organization, design, presentation and creativity.
Totem scored an overall 970 out of a possible 1,000 points, earning the two awards.
Totem received perfect scores in both the organization and design aspect of the competition.
Totem has won a total of 23 consecutive first-place awards from the ASPA since 1996.
Berwyn Moore, the former adviser of Totem, had worked on the magazine for three decades.
Moore said that the recent awards are especially meaningful for her because 2018 marked her last year as the Totem adviser.
“Every year working with my dedicated and diligent staff has been exciting, challenging and gratifying,” Moore said.
Moore will be passing her responsibilities as adviser to Carol Hayes, an instructor in the English department.
Totem is currently looking for literary and art submissions.
Students are encouraged to submit their work to possibly be featured in the next edition of Totem.
Although Totem is based within the English department, individuals from all programs may submit work to Totem.
Submissions of all creative work are due by Friday, Nov. 2. Work should be emailed to [email protected].
Baleigh Klepfer contributed to this story.
By Harlee Boehm
