For the second year in a row, the Northern Star was awarded 2nd Place in the General Excellence category by the Illinois College Press Association.

At the Awards for Excellence in Illinois College Newspapers, which awarded achievements for 2005 on Saturday, the Star finished behind Southern Illinois’ Daily Egyptian in the event’s top category.

The awards ceremony featured categories for daily publications, non-daily publications with a circulation greater than 4,000 and non-daily publications with circulations less than 4,000.

The Star received awards in 19 of 31 eligible categories ranging from individual to staff-wide recognition.

Last year, the Star placed second behind Northwestern in General Excellence.