The judges selected one national winner and two finalists in the category from 12 regions across the country. Fondin was awarded for his work in 2014:
– Coping with reverse culture shock after study abroad
– Sculpting the GW-Corcoran merger takes longer than expected
– Commercial rankings fail to fully capture GW

Fondin previously won in the regional category, part of The Hatchet’s 12 regional honors from the Society of Professional Journalists this year.

It is the first time in recent years a Hatchet staffer has won national first-place honors from the Society of Professional Journalists.

In 2012, the Society of Professional Journalists named The Hatchet a national finalist for best non-daily newspaper. Former Senior Photo Editor Michelle Rattinger was also named a national finalist for her coverage of national Go Topless Day.