OutFAU, a vertical of OutSFL serving Florida Atlantic University, walked away with seven awards—including three first-place finishes—at the annual Sunshine State Awards ceremony, held Sept. 6 in Fort Lauderdale.

The statewide contest, presented by the Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), recognizes the best journalism in Florida from the previous year.

Mary Rasura, founder of OutFAU, earned first-place honors in Opinion Column (The Body Issue) and LGBTQ+ Coverage (Continuing Coverage). She was also named a finalist in Review (Owl Manor Delivers, But Where Was the Crowd?) and Serious Feature (Silenced IDEAs: How the FAU Campus Inclusion Center Vanished).

"This piece is noteworthy because of its focus on the student response to these institutional changes. It details how students have repurposed the former DEI office space to create a student-run, privately funded LGBTQ+ newspaper. This narrative underscores the students' resilience and commitment to fostering inclusive spaces on campus, even in the face of policy-driven setbacks,” the judge wrote about Rasura’s entry in the LGBTQ+ Coverage category. “Overall, this piece offers a nuanced perspective on the ongoing debates surrounding DEI programs in higher education, illustrating both the top-down policy shifts and the grassroots efforts to maintain inclusivity. This piece offers a deeper understanding of the complexities of cultural and political dynamics in academic institutions."

“I’m honored that OutFAU’s inaugural cover story placed as a finalist and look forward to continuing to grow OutFAU,” said Rasura.

Four of OutFAU’s Sunshine State Awards came from the acclaimed Body Issue, which showcased bold storytelling and striking design.

“This is a challenging piece covering really sensitive topics,” a judge wrote about the issue. “I think it takes courage to do this.” 

Here is a list of those awards connected to the Body Issue. 

• Opinion Column – First Place (Mary Rasura)
• Inside Page Design – First Place (Lewis De Berry)
• Special Issue – Finalist (Mary Rasura, CJ Walden & Lewis De Berry)
• Front Page Design – Finalist (Lewis De Berry)

“Berry's entry straightforwardly presented content with sensitive, compelling photos focusing on a key issue of the day,” the judge wrote about Berry’s win in the Inside Spread category. “The images served to highlight the beauty of bodies in a way that hopefully supports understanding. The authentic expressions and poses engage the viewer, and the color/shape additions subtly enhance the layout without distraction from the core message.”

As for Berry’s cover, a judge wrote: “Effective, and conveys a sense of community and diversity. I appreciate that in a cover of this type, some of the subjects obviously have been permitted to wear clothing, which probably helped with comfort and inclusion.”   

CJ Walden, OutFAU’s executive editor, is thrilled for the paper he now leads. 

“I’m deeply honored to be a finalist for SPJ’s Sunshine State Awards for our Body Issue,”  Walden said. “This marks my fourth award since joining last July. I’m happy to be a part of OutFAU’s continuing mission! I am looking forward to even more good trouble.”

This year’s Sunshine State wins add to OutFAU’s growing list of accolades since launching in January 2024. Earlier this summer, the publication earned five honors at the 75th Green Eyeshade Awards, including:

• Visual Storytelling – First Place (Lewis De Berry)
• Editorial Leadership – Second Place (Mary Rasura)
• Print Design – Third Place (Lewis De Berry)
• Special Projects – Third Place (Mary Rasura & CJ Walden)
• Student News Outlet – Third Place (overall publication)

The Green Eyeshade Awards, organized by SPJ, are the nation’s oldest and most prestigious regional journalism competition, recognizing excellence across the Southeast.

OutFAU also took second place earlier this year in a special SPJ contest highlighting journalism ethics. And just months after its January 2024 launch, the student newsroom won third place for Best Newspaper in the College Media Association’s Apple Awards.

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