RADNOR, Pa. (March 7, 2019)—The Cabrini student-produced multimedia website RethinkingGender.com earned a 2019 Student Keystone Press Award for best website in PA (Division II) by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA).
The website is the culmination of a yearlong Honors Convergence course that has a group of students create and collect video, audio, writing, graphics, and photography around a common theme, this year—gender. Published in May 2018, the site examines the attitudes towards the concept of gender and advocates for gender equity as a social justice issue.
“I'm so proud of the hard work and creativity of these former students,” said Cathy Yungmann, Professor Emerita of Communication. “Twelve communication seniors spent last year studying gender issues, interviewing people involved in the topic and creating a complex web site. The result is a social justice advocacy outlet and part of their professional job-hunting portfolio.”
According to PNA, websites were judged on content, appearance, use of graphics, photos and color, as well as access, use of social media, and audience engagement.
“When we chose the topic of gender as our senior capstone, we had no idea what a global topic it would become throughout the year, as the #MeToo movement began and people across so many platforms started speaking out for the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Cecelia Heckman (’18), project manager for the site. “Through more than 60 video interviews and months of in-depth research, we worked together to create a website that would bring greater light to those who are looking to learn more about the topics of gender and sexuality.”
The students, now alumni, who produced the award-winning site include Katie Briante, Carmen Frias, Cecelia Heckman, Caitlyn Huebner, Emily Janny, Anna Laquintano, Hailey McDonough, Corey Pettine, Marissa Roberto, Molly Seaman, Ashley Sierzega, and Caelan Woryk. They worked under the guidance of Yungmann.
This is the fifth time a Cabrini Honors Convergence website has been awarded for exceptional work. Some of the previous topics included food insecurity, the effects of domestic violence on young children, and combating substance abuse.
For more information on the Honors Convergence course and to view other class websites, see the senior projects page on cabrini.edu.
About Cabrini University
Founded in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cabrini University is a Catholic institution that empowers students to become advocates of social change through an Education of the Heart, focusing on academic excellence, community engagement, and leadership development.
Cabrini enrolls approximately 1,650 undergraduates in more than 35 majors, pre-professional programs, concentrations, and minors on its serene 112-acre campus located 30 minutes from Philadelphia. The University also enrolls 800 students in graduate, doctoral, and professional studies programs at its main campus in Radnor, PA, and at five off-campus locations.