The Gold Star Journal Excellence Award was established by
Dr. and Mrs. James F. Boyd, Class of 1971, in Fall 2019.
This award provides funds towards the Student Awards listed below.
The Best Photograph Award


- 2023: Celeste Montero, Class of 2023, “Foggy Day.”
- 2022, Eric Wilson, Jr. Class of 2023, “Flag Bearer.”
- 2021: Jacob McKewn Williams, Class of 2022, “Abandoned Chair.”
- 2020: Zachary Adkins, Class of 2021.
- 2019: Samuel Abernathy, Class of 2019 and Ian Taylor, Class of 2019, “Elvis.”
- 2018: Morgan A. Meredith, Class of 2018, “Ring and Champagne.”
- 2017: Michael J. Kecken, Class of 2017.
- 2016: Joseph Federico, Class of 2016.
- 2015: James McManus, Class of 2016.
- 2014: Nick Pinelli, Class of 2016.
- 2013: Ryan J. Boodee, Class of 2014.
- 2012: Matthew L. Herold, Class of 2012.
The GSJ Distinction in Photography Award


- 2023: Wilhelm Birkholz, Class of 2023, “The Mountains of Southern Europe.”
- 2022: Matthew Smith, Class of 2022, “Lunar Winter.”
- 2021: Chase Robert Ervin, Class of 2022.
- 2020: Dashawn Costley, Class of 2022.
- 2019: William Rasberry, Class of 2019, “A Study in Wildlife Photography.”
Most Creative Artwork Award


- 2023: Catherine Rodriguez, Class of 2024, “Military Shame.”