CONTACTS:
Bobby Deckard, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317/927-8000 ext. 215 or bdeckard@spj.org


FORT WORTH, Texas - The Society of Professional Journalists awarded its chapter awards and other special honors Saturday, Sept. 14, during events at the 2002 SPJ National Convention.

The 2001-2002 winners are:

Wells Memorial Key:
Kyle Niederpruem, former national SPJ President and Sigma Delta Chi Foundation board member; and
Julie Grimes, SPJ deputy executive director

Fellows of the Society:
Leonard Downie Jr., executive editor of The Washington Post;
David Handschuh, photographer for the New York Daily News; and
Robert Kaiser, associate editor and senior correspondent for The Washington Post

Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Tom and Pat Gish of The Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, Ky.

2002 Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award:
William M. Lawbaugh, Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md.

Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award:
Marcel P. Dufresne, University of Connecticut

David L. Eshelman Outstanding Campus Adviser Award:
Sue Kopen Katcef, University of Maryland

Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Pro Chapter Member:
Dorothy Estes of the Fort Worth Pro Chapter

Julie Galvan Outstanding Campus Chapter Member Award:
Alanna Turner, graduate of University of Maryland

Regional Director of the Year Award:
Irwin Gratz, Region I

President’s Award:
Howard Dubin, chairman of the SPJ Membership Committee;
Sally Lehrman, chairwoman of SPJ Diversity Committee;
Ian Marquand, chairman of SPJ FOI Committee; and
Christine Tatum, chairwoman of SPJ Legal Defense Fund

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS (For Outstanding SPJ Chapters):
First Amendment and Freedom of Information Activity – Minnesota Pro (large) and William O’Douglas (small)

Campus Relations and Scholarship Activities – Connecticut Pro (large) and Greater Tri-Cities Pro and Virginia Pro (tie for small)

Minority Relations and Activities Promoting Diversity Among Journalists – Chicago Headline Club (large) and Bluegrass Pro (small)

Professional Development and Continuing Education Programs – Washington, D.C., Pro (large) and Virginia Pro (small)

Chapter Communication – Chicago Headline Club (large) and Hawaii Pro (small)

NATIONAL OUTSTANDING CHAPTERS:
Large Pro – Minnesota Pro
Small Pro – Arkansas Pro
Campus – University of Florida

REGIONAL OUTSTANDING CHAPTERS:
Large Pro Chapters (75 members or more):
Region 1 – Connecticut Pro
Region 2 – Washington D.C. Pro
Region 3 – South Florida Pro
Region 4 – Central Ohio Pro
Region 5 – Indiana Pro
Region 6 – Minnesota Pro
Region 7 – No award
Region 8 – Fort Worth Pro
Region 9 – No award
Region 10 – Greater Oregon Pro
Region 11 – San Diego Pro
Region 12 – No award

Small Pro Chapters (Fewer than 75 members):
Region 1 – No award
Region 2 – Virginia Pro
Region 3 – East Tennessee Pro
Region 4 – Queen City Pro
Region 5 – Bluegrass Pro
Region 6 – No award
Region 7 – No award
Region 8 – San Antonio Pro
Region 9 – Utah Headliners
Region 10 – William O’Doulgas
Region 11 – Valley of the Sun Pro
Region 12 – Arkansas Pro

Campus Chapters:
Region 1 – Syracuse University
Region 2 – University of Maryland
Region 3 – University of Florida
Region 4 – Bowling Green State University
Region 5 – Western Kentucky University
Region 6 – St. Cloud State University
Region 7 – University of Missouri-Columbia
Region 8 – Southwest Texas University
Region 9 – University of New Mexico
Region 10 – Pacific Lutheran University
Region 11 – University of Hawaii-Manoa
Region 12 – University of Arkansas

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. 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.

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