DCU - Victorious in Vicar St
Oxygen 2002 Student Media Awards

We have been saying for years that DCU students are the best, but absolute proof was presented for all to see on 18 April, the night of the Oxygen 2002 Student Media Awards. Not only did DCU students walk away with winners'' globes, but apparently moves were made by jealous rivals to hijack some of the university's kudos when one of our winning journalists was billed as hailing from UCD!

Thankfully the loud and loyal DCU supporters attending the Vicar Street event reclaimed the best from the rest as winners took to the stage to collect their awards from host Brendan O'Connor.

Nominated in seven categories, DCU students walked away with 3 awards.

Louise McLoughlin, a final-year student in the B.A. Communications scooped the Best Television Production Award for her piece "Regeneration", to be shown on DCU TV, airing from 22 to 26 April.

"I am especially grateful to the people in Ballymun who were so open and made Regeneration possible," she said as she received her winning globe.

Winner of Best Journalist (National Press) award was James McDonald, a third year journalism student. James was described by the judging panel as an impressive investigative journalist who seeks the harder story. He said he was "delighted to win this award, for my own satisfaction, for my college, and for the people who helped me along the way, not least Patrick Kinsella, Head of Journalism in DCU."

And fourth year journalism student Paul Keane walked away with Best Sports Writer award. Writing in a "mature style that avoided self-indulgence," Paul covered his subjects in "a lively, informative manner," according to the judges.

"His readable series of articles maintained a clear divide between fact and opinion, leaving the reader well-informed and entertained."

Patrick Kinsella, who joined his students at the event, said he was "delighted for the three students who won. It was a great achievement for them and for DCU." Having tripled on the prize-take since last year''s event, he urged students, "let''s do even better next year."