Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, (317) 920-4791, amartzall@spj.org
Rachel Semple, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, rsemple@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to honor Kate Hiller with the 2016 Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate in Journalism 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 December graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, Hiller has traveled to Rwanda, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Germany and Europe on behalf of the school as well as throughout the United States for conferences.

Nerissa Young, the Ohio University SPJ Chapter adviser, said “Everywhere she goes, Kate leaves behind good will and quality work. My boss says I bleed SPJ. Kate is the person at the top of a short list who could give me a transfusion.”

Young also mentioned that Hiller planned the Region 4 SPJ Conference of March 2015, contributed to all aspects of the annual high school journalism workshop and was selected as the student representative to SPJ’s national board. Hiller’s hard work and dedication to journalism have not gone unnoticed at Ohio: she was also selected by faculty as the outstanding graduating senior.

“There’s a saying around the school when a task arises that no one has accepted – faculty or student. That saying is ‘Let’s get Kate.’ She is always able to find a way to complete the task well and on time. Her talents are many: writer, editor, designer, photographer, videographer, film producer, content curator, app developer, teacher, leader and others too numerous to list here. Those talents are bounded by an enthusiastic personality, brilliant sense of humor, overwhelming work ethic and exceptional humility.”

Hiller will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism 2016 Sept. 18-20 in New Orleans. Click here for a list of past winners.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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