Mike King, a photo editor for the Iowa State Daily, was recently named the Iowa College Photographer of the Year.

King, a senior in construction engineering from Ankeny, received the award at the 1997 Iowa Press Photographers Convention held at the Amana Colonies on April 11-12.

Judges for the contest were photographers and photo editors from across the country, who looked at King’s portfolio, which included photographs of sports, features, news, picture-story and portrait personality.

“It was really good to be recognized for doing good work and that others appreciate it. One of the best parts was to hear the comments on my work, so I can improve from that,” King said.

He said much of the credit for the award should be given to the Daily, which makes it possible for him to take such quality photographs.

“The education that the Daily gives us puts us far ahead of the others. With the resources and the backing we have to work with, it makes it real easy for us to win,” King said.

King said the honor is a good representation of what the Daily can do for students at Iowa State. “It makes the Daily look good that we can compete on this level and win. It’s an honor to get it and represent Iowa State,” King said.

After graduating in May, King will begin a job for Black and Veatch, an engineering firm in Overland Park, Kan. He said he still plans to be involved in photography by being a free-lance photographer and a part-time photographer for the Associate Press in Kansas.

This is the second year in a row an Iowa State Daily photographer has won Iowa College Photographer of the Year.