CONTACT:
Matthew Kent, Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists has selected Jonathan Make and Stirling Morita to receive the Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Pro Member Award for contributions to their SPJ chapters and regions.

Each year, this award is given to no more than two members — one from a chapter of 75 or more members and one from a chapter of less than 75 members. The award is in honor of Howard Dubin, longtime member of SPJ’s Chicago Headline Club. Dubin not only contributes time and money to the Society, but also remains dedicated to service at the chapter level.

Jonathan Make is a dedicated member of the Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter. For the past five years, Make has been a board member of the chapter, one of SPJ’s largest, and is the immediate past president, after serving two years. His involvement is not limited to his chapter. Make is active on Twitter and Medium helping share SPJ news and updating members on what is happening at the national level. Make is the definition of grassroots support because he also organizes comments and suggestions from a group of more than 50 other chapter leaders around the country via an email list to pass along to SPJ national leadership.

Stirling Morita has been an active SPJ member for more than 30 years. He has served on the Hawaii Pro Chapter Board of Directors, including as president, for at least 20 years. Morita works behind the scenes on several Hawaii Chapter projects including helping young journalists obtain internships, organizing annual contests, fundraising efforts through the Gridiron Show and organizing a variety of interesting speakers and forums. Morita also organizes the chapter’s annual dinner and regional conference.

Make and Morita will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2019 in San Antonio.

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 SPJ Foundation.

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