Students and faculty from Louisiana Tech’s journalism department are making headlines nationally with awards from the National Federation of Press Women. The 2012 Communications Contest Award winners were named, and Tech faculty and students received five awards from this national organization. Kelly Belton Ducote, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in May, received first place in design and honorable mention in column writing. Amber Guyotte, also a journalism major who graduated in May, received first place in news writing. Rebecca Spence, a senior journalism and speech communication major, received honorable mention for editorial writing, and Judith Roberts, journalism instructor, received third place for news/feature single release. These winners received first place in the state competition and were automatically sent to compete nationally. Dr. Reginald Owens, chair of the journalism department, said the department’s recognition in NFPW showed the level of talent by faculty and students. “We know our students and faculty do good work, not because we say it,” he said. “Others tell us that often. It is especially heartening when our reputation goes national. We are talking about being cited as the best in the United States of America. We’re a proud bunch.” Keli Jacobi, president of the Louisiana Press Women, said the national recognition was well deserved. “I am always so impressed by my colleagues’ work and pleased to see so many of them receive recognition at the state and national level,” Jacobi said. “They have worked hard all year and deserve the accolades.”