OU Daily video editor Willie Gillespie placed ninth in the nation this week in the Hearst Awards’ individual multimedia reporting category for his lead role in coverage of a manhunt near campus in which he delivered reporting, photography and videography from the field throughout the day.
The contest honors the top 20 pieces of multimedia journalism in the nation produced by college students.
This marks the Daily’s second placement of the 2025-26 Hearst cycle, which staggers its category deadlines throughout the academic year.
Since 2014-15, the Daily now has placed 31 times in the contest, which honors the best in collegiate journalism.
Gillespie will serve as the Daily’s editor-in-chief during the 2026-27 academic year.
