CJS Alumni Shine at the 45th News and Documentary Emmy Awards
Graduates of Columbia Journalism School were highlighted at the 45th Annual Emmy Awards on September 25, 2024. The ceremony took place at Palladium Times Square, where the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored exceptional contributions to news and documentary storytelling.
Raney Aronson-Rath, '95 M.S., was inducted into the Silver Circle, “a society honoring members of the television and wider broadcasting community who have made an enduring contribution to the industry,” and recognizing her 25-year record of accomplishments in television news.
We congratulate Raney on her induction into the NATAS Silver Circle, a richly deserved nod to her undeniable impact on the world of documentary television.

Sarah Moawad, '19 M.S., was honored for her work as Associate Producer with VICE News. Their documentary “Inside Wagner: The Rise of Russia’s Notorious Mercenaries” won in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Long Form category.
John Quiñones, '79 M.S., and Tomas Navia '19 M.S., both won for “It Happened Here: A Year in Uvalde.” The documentary followed the aftermath of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Joanna Rothkopf, '14 M.A. Science, won in Outstanding Writing for a Varsity Series for her work on the acclaimed TV series “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” This is Rothkopf’s sixth award from the Academy.
Cydney Tucker, '16 M.S., founding member of the DEI Commission at CJS, won an Emmy in Outstanding Arts, Culture or Entertainment Coverage for her work on Hulu’s “Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial.”
Plus:
- Laila Al-Arian, '06 M.S., won for “The Shark-Fin Hunters,” produced by Al-Jazeera.
- Shachar Bar-On, '95 M.S., produced the Emmy-winning “The Hostage Story” for 60 Minutes.
- Jason Dearen, '02 M.S., and Cho Park, '15 M.S. Part-Time, won for work on Hulu’s “Grand Knighthawk: Infiltrating the KKK” — which screened at CJS the year prior.
- Marilyn Fletcher, '86 M.S., Jake Lefferman, '14 M.S., Margie Merritt, '17 M.S., and Melia Patria, '05 M.S., joined Tucker in the win for “Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial.”
- Linda Pattillo, '81 M.S., deputy managing editor at Scripps News, won for her work on the “Poisoned Water” investigation.
- Mariana Van Zeller, '02 M.S., won for her work hosting “Cyber Pirates: Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.”