Tennessee Tech student journalists earn national recognition for reporting, photography
Four student journalists from Tennessee Tech University's student newspaper, The Oracle, earned national recognition this spring, capturing three first-place awards and an honorable mention in the Society for Collegiate Journalists' annual competition.
The awards recognized excellence in sports feature writing, news photography, commentary and enterprise reporting.
Honored students included Adam Hitchcock, first place in sports feature writing; Alek Gaddis, first place in news photography; Miguel Ortiz, first place in column or commentary; and August "Gus" Creter, honorable mention in enterprise writing.
"The success of these students reflects the talent, dedication and professionalism they brought to the newsroom throughout the year," said Tracey Hackett, adviser to The Oracle. "Student journalism provides an opportunity to learn by doing, and these awards demonstrate that our students are producing work that stands alongside the best collegiate journalism in the country."
Hitchcock earned first place in sports feature writing for "The Godfather of Tech Football," a story that explored the legacy and impact of Leonard “Sonny” Allen, a Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee and the oldest living former Tech football player.
"It means the world to me that my work is being acknowledged on a national level," Hitchcock said. "I couldn't believe what they were telling me. I was just shocked and overwhelmed by happiness."
Hackett praised Hitchcock's talent for narrative storytelling and newsriting, noting that his skills will serve him well when he takes the helm as managing editor for the newspaper in the fall.
Gaddis received first place in news photography for "Large turnouts for Kirk vigils," a photograph documenting the campus community’s response following the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.
"Alek joined The Oracle staff this year, and he stepped up like a pro," said Hackett. "This photograph is memorable for the way it captures emotion and tells a visual story, and it effectively illustrates how a national news event resonated within the local community."
Ortiz earned first place in column or commentary for "Our government doesn't understand me," a personal column reflecting on the experiences of an American with autism and the challenges he believes many individuals with disabilities face in public policy discussions.
"Miguel began the year as a novice editorial writer and ended it as a national award-winning editorial writer," said Hackett. "The growth of his writing skill has been phenomenal, and he came to the staff with the insight and honesty needed to be an impactful editorialist. I can't wait to see where the future takes him."
Creter, who served as managing editor of The Oracle during the 2025-26 academic year, also received an honorable mention in enterprise writing.
Hackett said the honors point to both the quality of the students' work and the value of experiential learning opportunities available through Tech's student media programs.
"The variety represented by these awards shows how well-rounded these students' skills are, and journalism is learned by practicing," she said. "Whether students are reporting, photographing events, writing commentary or leading newsroom coverage during breaking news situations, they are developing skills that will serve them throughout their careers."
The Society for Collegiate Journalists is the nation's oldest organization dedicated to collegiate journalism, tracing its roots to 1909 and supporting student media organizations across the country. Its annual contest recognizes excellence in student journalism through awards honoring outstanding writing, photography and multimedia work.
The Oracle is Tennessee Tech's student-run newspaper, providing opportunities for students to gain experience in reporting, editing, photography, design and multimedia storytelling while serving the university community. Learn more at www.tntechoracle.com.