The DCAA board, at its January 20 meeting, approved a $370 funding request from the Daily Cardinal staff to cover expenses for the Society of Professional Journalist regional awards program for student journalists.

This includes three entries in 12 different categories of reporting, writing, photography and best all-around daily. The grant also includes funds for a year-long student membership for the Cardinal in the SPJ. 

"Submitting, and hopefully winning, these awards further affirms our tradition of excellence and is a tangible way to prove the Cardinal's success in a number of areas," said Abby Becker, the Cardinal's editor. "These awards are beneficial for our ad sales team to show to advertisers to boost sales and to display to interested writers to show the Cardinal's capabilities. In addition, these awards are a reward for editors and staff members who have been committed throughout the year and have given their best work, time and dedication to the Cardinal."

The Cardinal has a long history of scooping up these awards. Last year, the Cardinal staff won awards in seven categories, including first-place finishes in in-depth reporting, sports column writing and feature photography. Oh, and a little award they call the Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper.

The board also moved forward on its plans for a joint fund-raising effort in 2014 with the Daily Cardinal Media Corporation. In addition to the DCAA's annual fundraising drive this year, the joint appeal is aimed at building up the Cardinal's liquidity and reserves and involving the DCAA more directly in protecting the Cardinal's long-term future. Cardinalstaff and board members and the DCAA board will be contacting alumni directly to establish a stronger connection between Cardinal generations. We will send out more information out ahead of the kickoff.

The Mentorship Committee of the DCAA seeks to expand its program to include mentoring help not just for current staffers but for recent grads trying to make their initial way in today's complicated job market. If you'd like to participate as a mentor, or if you're a recent grad in need of some timely career advice, apply online.

Planning ahead: The DCAA board will hold its annual meeting in Madison on Saturday April 26. The Journalism School usually hosts its annual awards dinner that weekend and we will be hosting a Cardinal staff recognition event over the weekend as well. All Cardinal alumni welcome!