FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 MAGAZINE PRODUCED BY DRAKE STUDENTS WINS THIRD NATIONAL AWARD The inaugural issue of 515 magazine, published last spring by senior magazine majors at Drake University, has earned its third top award - the All American rating with five Marks of Distinction from the Associated Collegiate Press. The magazine received the highest rating given by the ACP. "This issue is one to celebrate," the judge said of 515. The judge, who was not identified, also noted that the magazine is "well-written, well-planned, well-executed." 515 magazine has previously earned a first place in the magazine competition sponsored by the Association for Education in Journalism and the Gold Medalist rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. "This is like winning the Triple Crown," said Patricia Prijatel, Drake's E.T. Meredith distinguished professor of journalism and publisher of 515, which derives its name from the local telephone area code. A magazine for young people living and working in Des Moines, 515 is produced as a capstone project by the senior-level magazine class at Drake. There's a print version as well as a Web version that can be accessed at www.515mag.com. The magazine is made possible by a grant from Meredith Corp. that covers the cost of printing 5,000 issues of 515 each year. The grant also has provided computers, scanners and printers for students to use in the production of 515. In addition to winning national awards, 515 magazine has given Drake students hands-on experience in magazine design, production, marketing and promotion. This, in turn, has led to impressive jobs in the magazine industry for many of the students listed on 515's masthead, Prijatel said. Jackie Ross, editor of the triple award-winning issue, works as an editorial assistant at Family Life magazine. Eric Dahl, 515's creative director, is staff editor of PC World. Nicholas Fonseca, managing editor of 515, is a freelancer for Entertainment Weekly. Dave MacDonald, 515's art director, is a designer with Think Inc. "I couldn't have made it to New York City - or to my current job, for that matter - without the expectations that were placed upon myself and my co-workers on 515," Fonseca said. "Professor Prijatel sees the best in each of her students, and she doesn't hide it when she doesn't see them reaching their potential. Having a professor and mentor who uses her connections and her wealth of experience to her students' advantage was so important in keeping us motivated to finish our product." Drake's magazine program drew praise from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication during a site team visit last year. The site team cited the "nationally recognized magazine sequence" as one of the major strengths of Drake's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Professor Prijatel, who directs the magazine sequence, is co-author of "Magazine Publishing," a new textbook that's been highly recommended by the Magazine Publishers of America. Journalism students at more than 30 colleges and universities across the country already are using the textbook, which is published by NTC Publishing Group. A trade version of the book can be found in bookstores under the title of "The Magazine: From Cover to Cover." Prijatel is working with this year's senior magazine majors on the next issue of 515 magazine, which is scheduled to be distributed in late April. Yet restaurant reviews and articles are already posted at www.515mag.com, promotional contests are under way and plans are set for a "Run with the Relays, Roam with 515" celebration on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines on Saturday, April 29, in connection with the Drake Relays. There's a "Create a Drink" contest in which readers age 21 and up are invited to develop a new drink recipe or a variation on an old one and give it a catchy name that symbolizes Des Moines. Then there's a "Name a Beer" contest in which readers are asked to devise a name for a beer that symbolizes Des Moines. A beer with the winning name will be served at Court Avenue Brewing Co. and Raccoon River Brewing Co. during the April 29 celebration. Prizes for both contests include two "Run with the Relays, Roam with 515" official T-shirts, dinner for two at the Court Avenue Brewing Co., a pair of Absolut martini glasses, and recognition in 515 magazine. The 515 Web site also invites readers to participate in polls regarding favorite restaurants as well as a wish list for Des Moines. "We want to know what readers wish that Des Moines had," said Jessica Brinkert, editor of this year's 515. "We plan to include some of those comments in the print magazine when it comes out." The awards garnered by the inaugural issue of 515 have put a little pressure on this year's 515 staff, Brinkert said. "We're trying to take the concept of 515 and make it our own," she said. "We hope to leave our mark on the magazine by producing the best magazine our class can make. Any awards that we receive afterward will be like icing on the cake."