From the Nominator

The team that produces Metropolitan State University of Denver’s online newsroom, RED, learned that a graduate of the university’s School of Hospitality is the lead conductor of the Amtrak Winter Park Express, a unique service that transports skiers from downtown Denver to one of the state’s most popular resorts. Stories about successful alumni like Brad Schwartzwelter help MSU Denver demonstrate the value of its degrees, so the RED team assigned this one to a writer and to staff photographer Amanda Schwengel, who spent a day with Schwartzwelter documenting his work and the popular train. Schwartzwelter was critical in getting the Winter Park Express up and running in 2015, and he credits his degree in hospitality, meeting, and travel administration for his career success. In 2023, the above average snowfall led to more passengers taking the train, and it sold out 90% of its seasonal trips to Winter Park Ski Resort. Schwengel produced and edited a series of photos that accompanied the written story, which drew more than 7,500 views on the RED site and across social media channels. Such exposure helped to support, through reputation-building, the university’s successful efforts last year to reverse enrollment declines that had been exacerbated by the pandemic.

From the Judges

The "Winter Park Express" entry tells a captivating story of time and place, vividly capturing the whimsical juxtaposition of the conductor with the average skiers. The vibrant colors and creative compositions draw the viewer in, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the Polar Express. The series effectively illustrates the value of an education at MSU Denver through the success of its graduate, Brad Schwartzwelter, and his unique role as the lead conductor of the Winter Park Express. The photos, which worked exceptionally well in the online article, showcase the passion and dedication of the photographer and create an engaging and visually appealing experience that highlights the unique career opportunities available to graduates.