Viewfinder Media Earns National Recognition at 2026 Apple Awards

April 10, 2026

Grand View University students have earned national recognition at the 2026 Apple Awards, presented by the College Media Association during the Spring National College Media Convention in New York City.

The Apple Awards represent “best in show” honors, recognizing outstanding student work in collegiate journalism and media production. Selected by a panel of experienced media educators, this year’s competition included 463 entries across 19 categories.

Grand View students received the following awards in Division III:
• Crey Abbas (senior, Photojournalism course) — First Place, Best Feature Photography
• Austyn Ellenbecker (junior, Multimedia Storytelling course) — Third Place, Best Podcast
• Ellie Kellem (’25) and Karlee Knode (’25), Viewfinder Magazine — Third Place, Best Magazine Cover

Dr. Erin Kim-Cho, chair of the Department of Communication, attended the convention on behalf of the department, Viewfinder Media, and the university. “This was an incredibly meaningful moment for our program,” said Kim-Cho. “Seeing our students’ work recognized on a national stage affirms the strength of our hands-on, student-centered approach. These awards demonstrate that Grand View students are producing work competitive with the very best in collegiate media across the country.”

The experience was especially impactful for award recipient Crey Abbas, who reflected on the support behind the achievement: “Thank you to Stoyota, the volleyball team, and the Communication Department for enabling me to pursue this photo story.”

The Apple Awards are named in honor of David L. Adams, a longtime adviser at Indiana University and a dedicated leader within the College Media Association, recognizing his lasting contributions to student media.

Explore more award-winning student work at viewfindergv.com.