UNCP’s student newspaper rated one of best in the U.S.

The American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) rated The Pine Needle, UNC Pembroke’s student newspaper, one of the top newspapers in the nation in their annual newspaper competition among 2,000 entries nationwide.

ASPA judges gave an additional award to the newspaper for Outstanding Sports Section, making the paper a double award-winner for 2009.

The Pine Needle competed with colleges and universities with enrollments of more than 2,500. The judges gave the newspaper 925 points out of a possible 1,000.

In its 61st year, The Pine Needle is published every two weeks and has an online edition at www.uncp.edu/pineneedle/. In the past three years, the newspaper has added color, a sports section and many pages.

A staff of approximately 40 work on the newspaper. They are led by Editor Christian Felkl, a senior who has worked three years on the staff in progressively more responsible roles.