Members of the 2025-26 ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine pose in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on March 7. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Medalist Critiques of the OMG and iliad were released Aug. 21, recognizing both publications with the Gold Medalist Award. “(The OMG’s) publication provides a wealth of coverage across a wide spectrum of appropriate topics with an emphasis on community and local connections,” the CSPA adviser-judge stated in the OMG’s Medalist Critique. “I appreciate the quality and consistency of each story across both (web and print) platforms.” Photo by Grady Dunston
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognized both the ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine as Gold Medalists on Aug. 21, one of CSPA’s top honors.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association released its Medalist Critiques of the ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine on Aug. 21, both earning a final score that qualified them for Gold Medalist ratings, one of CSPA’s highest honors.
The CSPA Medalist Critiques, which date back to 1925, recognize exemplary student news publications in print and online media, while providing feedback on areas to improve. The OMG’s recognition falls under the Hybrid News division, meaning that both its newsmagazine and website were judged on their overall coverage, visual components and accessibility.
“(The OMG has) a clear sense of purpose and personality which is evident throughout,” the CSPA adviser-judge stated in the OMG’s medalist critique. “Of particular note (are) your visual design elements, using excellent photography and visual storytelling to maximize the potential of (the magazine and website).”
“As I tell my students, recognition from Columbia University, the home of the Pulitzer Prize, lets you know you’re doing something right.”
— David Ragsdale,
OMG and iliad adviser
Medalist Critique scores are determined by the sum of the publication’s Essential, Verbal and Visual scores, each section separated into different techniques and components, such as the inclusion of a masthead, publication policies and interactive elements. The OMG received an Essential score of 359.84, a Verbal score of 281.5 and a Visual score of 245.
“(The OMG) worked so hard to teach me to be a well-rounded journalist, so it makes me feel proud to see it get awarded for its strength in all categories,” 2025-26 OMG Managing Editor Peter Atchley, a Class of 2026 alumnus, said. “I hope this recognition reminds other ODYSSEY journalists of the importance of expanding your skill set and being (detail-oriented) no matter what form the product takes.”
Together, the OMG received a Total score of 886.34 out of 1,000, recognizing the publication’s depth in coverage, overall design and readability. Although the OMG received a greater total score of 935.5 for the 2024-25 publishing year, OMG founder and adviser David Ragsdale views the achievement of Gold Medalist as a testament to the OMG’s 2025-26 Editorial Board’s work.
“As I tell my students, recognition from Columbia University, the home of the Pulitzer Prize, lets you know you’re doing something right,” Ragsdale said. “The feedback this year lets (the OMG) know we have opportunities to grow. I’m thankful to last year’s leaders for their guidance.”
2025-26 iliad Literary-Art Magazine Social Media Coordinator Scarlett Alston, Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel and Outreach Director Jay Braswell (left to right) pose with the 2026 iliad magazine, “Eudaimonia,” in the Athens Cotton Press on May 3. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognized the iliad as a Gold Medalist on Aug. 21 for the magazine’s art, writing and design. “Pairing pieces and sorting them (for ‘Eudaimonia’) was a tedious process, (so) I felt proud of my work on that and I’m glad that it has come across well to (CSPA) evaluators,” McDaniel said. Photo by Miriam Silk
The iliad’s recognition falls under the Literary/Art Magazine division, judged on both the composition of the 2025-26 magazine, “Sound & Color,” including the visual art and written submissions.
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading and ‘experiencing’ this literary magazine. The (iliad) staff is clearly passionate about their work and it comes through on each and every page from the cover to the last page,” the CSPA adviser-judge stated in the iliad’s medalist critique. “The content was carefully chosen for each and every individual page and is matched well with the prose on the facing pages.”
Literary magazine critique scores are also determined by the publication’s scores in the Essential, Verbal and Visual categories, and include strategies to better the magazine. The iliad received an Essential score of 280, a Verbal score of 364 and a Visual score of 246.
“I’m so grateful that the 2025-26 iliad staff gave so much thought and effort when I asked them what pieces they wanted for the magazine (and) that it (came) across well to evaluators,” 2025-26 iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel, a Class of 2026 alumna, said. “Getting the Gold Medalist Award is such a great honor, but I am so glad that everyone who contributed to the magazine last year (is) getting the recognition they deserve.”
Overall, the iliad received a total score of 890 out of 1,000, awarding its artistic submissions, design identity and composition, while advising the program to expand its overall depth and variety of written pieces and streamline magazine spreads.
“It’s intimidating to inherit such a well-established magazine from (McDaniel), but I’m excited to take the critique CSPA gave us and the different techniques they mentioned to further develop the iliad,” current iliad Editor-in-Chief Emlyn McKinney said. “The 2025-26 (iliad) Editorial Board worked incredibly hard last year to earn this achievement, and I hope to honor that.”
