Augusta University’s student publications, The Phoenix Magazine and The Bell Ringer, received several national awards at the 2025 Pinnacle College Media Awards. The event was held in Washington, D.C., during the MediaFest conference.
Sydney Highfield, who will graduate this December with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in communication, won two first-place awards for Literary Magazine Cover and Magazine Cover for her work on The Phoenix. She also earned third place for Literary Magazine Spread. Highfield said she began working in publication design when she volunteered to create layouts for Sand Hills Literary Magazine before joining The Phoenix.
This year marked Highfield’s first participation in the Pinnacle Awards. “I thought I was only nominated,” she said. “I didn’t understand the awards had first, second and third places until I got there.” She added that receiving honorable mention for Literary Magazine of the Year helped her realize her skills were recognized nationally: “It helped me put things into perspective,” she said. “I knew I had strong skills for my university, but seeing it at a national level was gratifying.”
After graduation, Highfield plans to continue working in editorial design and publishing.
CM Wahl, who graduated in May 2025 and served as editor-in-chief for both winning issues of The Phoenix Magazine, received recognition for investigative reporting and documentary work focused on community topics such as sexually transmitted disease rates and human trafficking. Wahl also produced a documentary on active-shooter preparedness at Augusta University that received an honorable mention at the Pinnacle Awards and previously won at the Gwinnett County Student Public Library Film Festival.
Wahl expressed pride in her team’s efforts: “I felt like we did strong work,” she said. “We spent a lot of time making sure it had quality and substance.”
Abby Appleman contributed to the award-winning spread through her Fall 2024 feature “The Sole of Personality.” Although not planning to pursue journalism further, Appleman appreciated collaborating with peers on these projects.
Award highlights include:
– First Place Division 2, Literary Magazine Cover – Sydney Highfield and CM Wahl
– First Place Division 2, Magazine Cover – Sydney Highfield and CM Wahl
– Third Place Division 2 & 3, Literary Magazine Spread – Abby Appleman, Sydney Highfield and CM Wahl
– Honorable Mention Division 2, Literary Magazine of the Year – The Phoenix Magazine
– Honorable Mention Division 2, Investigative Story – CM Wahl, The Bell Ringer
– Honorable Mention Division 2, Long Documentary – CM Wahl, The Bell Ringer
Kim Davies, PhD, dean of Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences commented: “It is fantastic to see our students continue to earn national recognition for their work in our student-run publications. These awards not only strengthen their resumes as they pursue career opportunities but also showcase the exceptional skills and experiences students gain through Pamplin’s outstanding programs.”
Students from any major are encouraged to participate in both publications through courses that offer academic credit along with practical experience.
“Our goal is to continue producing a high-quality product for students and faculty,” said Dylan Wilson, assistant professor in Pamplin College’s Department of Communication and supervisor of The Phoenix Magazine.
Rachel Balducci, senior lecturer and supervisor of The Bell Ringer added: “Publications like The Bell Ringer and The Phoenix help students grow as writers, designers and journalists.”
