The Northern Star received first place for general excellence among daily college newspapers at an Illinois College Press Association conference over the weekend.

The Daily Illini of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign received second in general excellence, The Western Courier of Western Illinois University received third and The Daily Northwestern of Northwestern University received honorable mention.

The Star was judged on newspapers published in the spring and fall 2015 semesters. The Northern Star won eight awards at the ceremony Saturday in Chicago.

The Star received first place in the online news site category.

Former columnist Dennis Muxlow received first place in the column, excluding sports dailies, category.

Alumna Kelly Bauer received first place and honorable mention in the news story category.

The Editorial Board received second and third place in the editorial category.

Former Scene writer Arthur Aumann received honorable mention in the critical review category.