Moody Alumni & Friends Wins Two National Awards

Moody Alumni & Friends Team: (top, left to right) Doug Fleener, Drew Friesen; (middle row) Scott Johnson, Jeff Smith, Elizabeth McDaniel, Larry Bohlin; (front row) Rhonda AuYeung, Jackson Hassler, Linda Piepenbrink, Daniel Starke, Jeff Bope.

Moody Alumni & Friends magazine recently captured two national accolades during the Evangelical Press Association’s 2024 awards contest. The summer 2023 online edition of the publication earned the Award of Excellence, the top honor for Higher Education magazines. The spring 2023 print edition received an Award of Merit.

“It’s a great magazine—I love it, and I love the team behind it,” says Jeff Bope ’11, executive director of the Moody Alumni Association. “We have a team full of experience and professionalism.”

Managing editor Linda Piepenbrink spearheads the publication. Linda came to Moody 12 years ago after a long history as managing editor for Today’s Christian Woman, Virtue, and Clubhouse.

The print magazine is designed by Doug Fleener, senior graphic designer and previously a designer with Christianity Today. Elizabeth McDaniel, digital experience manager, designs the web edition. Other contributors include Jeff Smith, creative director and the magazine’s editorial adviser; Larry Bohlin, staff photographer; Rhonda AuYeung, production manager; freelance writers; and two student editorial assistants, Audrey (Gotcher) Fohr ’24 and Jackson Hassler ’26.

Alumni and Friends Magazine Cover — Moody publishes the award-winning Alumni & Friends magazine three times a year, plus an online-only summer edition. Current and past editions can be found online here.

“To God be the credit and glory for the compelling product He produced through so many willing participants,” says Jeff Smith. “This includes the many alumni and friends of Moody that allowed the magazine staff to communicate the stories of how the Lord has worked in their lives.”

The Evangelical Press Association is the world’s largest professional organization for evangelical periodicals. Members include more than 200 magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and websites. According to Lamar Keener, executive director of the EPA, this year’s contest welcomed more than a thousand entries in dozens of categories.

Keener says the annual contest gives members the opportunity to receive recognition for their exceptional work. “Winning an award boosts morale and offers confirmation of a job well done,” he says. “In addition, members receive valuable insight, feedback, and professional recommendations from the EPA’s panel of expert judges.”

While Jeff Bope is excited about the recent accolades, he’s also enthusiastic about the magazine’s impact on alumni life: “The alumni say it’s their top way of keeping connected to Moody.”

Click here to view the award-winning magazine.