The Washington Press Association (WPA) gave Columns its top award for general, color magazines in Washington state, the association announced at its awards banquet March 25.
The First Place Award was based on writing, editing, makeup, typography and thoroughness of coverage in 1994. In analyzing the magazine, the judges wrote, “Columns is simple and understated. It keeps UW alumni informed about issues and developments, and does so in an atmosphere of dignity.” The honor was the only award given out in the category for general, color magazines.
Columns writers, editors and designers won four other WPA awards in the 1994 competition. Writer L.G. Blanchard won a Second Place Award for features in a general or specialized publication for his December cover story, “Making the Puppet Dance.” Designer Ken Shafer won a Second Place Award for the page layout of three articles, “Physical Culture” (Sept. 1994), “Good Sports” (Sept. 1994) and “Flowing Pains” (Dec. 1994). Editor Tom Griffin won a Third Place Award for special articles—historical for his series of history columns, “Our Back Pages.” Griffin also won a Third Place Award for editing non-profit magazines.
In a separate competition sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), District VIII, Columns won a Bronze Award for Magazine Publishing, the association announced Feb. 20. Sharing that award were Editor Tom Griffin, Associate Editor Jon Marmor and Designer Ken Shafer. Columns competed against university magazines from five states and four Canadian provinces.
In its six years of publishing, Columns has won 33 awards in local, regional and national competitions.