FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/21/15

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, (317) 920-4791, amartzall@spj.org
Maggie LaMar, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, mlamar@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to honor Brett Hall with the 2015 Julie Galvan Outstanding Campus Member Award.

The Award is named in memory of Julie Galvan, a former president of the SPJ San Jose State University Campus Chapter who was killed in a car accident in 1996 while on her way to an internship. At the close of the college year, SPJ accepts nominations for someone who is outstanding in his or her class on the basis of character, community service, scholarship, proficiency in practical journalism and significant contributions to the chapter. SPJ national leadership selects one graduate who is considered most outstanding for national recognition.

A student of the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, Hall involved himself quickly in the campus SPJ chapter and the Maryland Newsline. He also serves on the SPJ Board of Directors as a campus representative.

Sue Kopen Katcef, the UMD SPJ Chapter Adviser, said, “Brett is synonymous with SPJ and SPJ is synonymous with Brett.”

His hard work and dedication to journalism has been recognized in the past. Kopen Katcef also mentioned that Hall has been selected for several prestigious scholarships including a Scripps Howard Foundation journalism scholarship, Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of Washingon, D.C., scholarship, Broadcast Education Association Founders Award and an RTDNA Presidents Scholarship.

“I have consistently found Brett to be an outstanding student, self-motivated and always professional, passionate about good journalism and ethics and always willing to go the extra mile to improve his work. He is dedicated both to advancing his own learning as well as trying to provide similar opportunities to other students. He is a true, generous leader every step of the way.”

He will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2015 Sept. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla. Click here for a list of past winners.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information on SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

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