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Six OU Daily staffers have been honored in the Hearst Awards' team explanatory reporting category for their coverage in February of the death of former OU President David Boren.

The contest honors the top 20 such pieces in the nation produced by college students. The Daily's work placed No. 20 on the list.

The pieces of the honored entry include:

• Boren's obituary, written by editor-in-chief Peggy Dodd. 

• State and national reaction, compiled by news managing editor Anusha Fathepure and Dodd.

• A breaking news video, by multimedia journalist Willie Gillespie.

• A comprehensive photo gallery, curated by photo editor Annie Davenport.

• A feature exploring the challenges presidents face in transforming universities, by news reporter Kevin Eagleson.

• A report on memorial service details, by news reporter Andrew Paredes.

This marks the Daily’s first placement of the 2024-25 Hearst cycle, which staggers its category deadlines throughout the academic year.

Since 2014-15, the Daily now has placed 29 times in the contest, which honors the best in collegiate journalism.

David Boren, 1941-2025: Obituary, video, photos, timeline, reaction, memorial details

Comprehensive coverage on the life and complex legacy surrounding one of the most consequential figures in Oklahoma history. This collection of stories also appeared in the spring 2025 edition of OU Daily's magazine. 

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