Fusion Magazine (Kent State University)

"Fusion" (http://fusion.kent.edu) is a student magazine at Kent State University. It was started in the fall of 2003 by founding editors Mandy Jenkins, Marie B. Ho and adviser Kate Common. Since then, the magazine has won several awards and continues to expand its audience base. Published twice a year by KSU students, "Fusion" addresses sexual minority issues within the general population using illustrative photo essays and in-depth feature articles. Available in print and online, the magazine strives to unify people of different backgrounds through education and awareness. Past stories tackled political trends, religion and sexuality, domestic partner benefits, LGBT athletes in the NCAA, anti-discrimination policies, parents coming out to spouses and children, gay adoption, AIDS support groups, physical and mental health issues, social change and more. Its national advertisers have included the popular lesbian magazine, Curve (magazine), as well as Pride & Equality Magazine.

Grants

The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation [ "http://gaycommunityfund.org/display/content/newsletter/index.php?type=nl&unid=72"] awarded a $2,000 grant to Fusion in December, 2006. GCEF's grant helped the magazine increase its circulation, exposing more college students to LGBT issues. Seventy-five percent of the publication's budget comes from student fees via the Student Media Policy Committee, leaving twenty-five percent to be raised through advertising and fundraising.

Awards

Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists ["http://www.spj.org"] presents the Mark of Excellence Awards honoring the best in student journalism. According to the SPJ Website, the awards offer 39 categories for print, radio, television, and online collegiate journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. Regional award winners are honored at spring regional conferences. First place regional winners are forwarded on to the national competition.

Since the beginning of its publication "Fusion" magazine received recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists and was presented with several Mark of Excellence Awards:

2003

(Founding Editors: Mandy Jenkins and Marie B. Ho)"Fusion Online" [(http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=370)]
* Best Student Magazine (published once a year)-Honorable Mention, Staff
* Best All-Around Online Student Magazine-Second Place, Staff
* Feature Photography-Third Place, Pat Jarrett, "My (Gay) Fraternity Life"
* Photo Illustration-First Place, Scott Galvin, "Fighting homophobia on the field"

2004

(Founding Editors: Mandy Jenkins and Marie B. Ho)"Fusion Online" ["http://fusion.kent.edu/archives/fall2004/about.html"]
* First Place: Best Student Magazine (Published More Than Once a Year), Staff
* First Place: Best All-Around Online Student Magazine, Staff

2006

(Editor: Jackie Mantey)"Fusion Online" ["http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=665"]
* First Place: Best Student Magazine, Staff
* Third Place: Best Affiliated Web site, Staff

Sources

School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent State University

The Daily Kent Stater

The Daily Kent Stater

The Daily Kent Stater

Kent News Netcite web |url=http://media.www.kentnewsnet.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2006/08/20/ThisAndThat/Student.Publications.Offer.Something.For.Every.Reader-2221780.shtml|title=Kent News Net|accessdate=2007-10-31 |format= |work=

References