ATTENTION:News editors, Business editors, Feature editors,
Photo editors, Assignment desks

CONTACTS:
Sarah A. Shrode, SPJ Director of Communications, 425/452-4846 or sshrode@spj.org

DOUBLETREE HOTEL, BELLEVUE, Wash. – The Society of Professional Journalists awarded Roger Simpson of the University of Washington the Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award.

Simpson, an associate professor at the University of Washington, directed the first Western Conference on Journalism and Trauma in March 1996 at the University of Washington. Simpson now is the director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at the University of Washington, a resource center on emotional trauma for news organizations and journalism schools. Simpson secured a five-year, $1 million grant from the Dart Foundation for this center. Simpson has written several publications on journalism and trauma, including “Covering Violence: A Guide to Ethical Reporting about Victims and Trauma,” and is co-founder of an innovative annual workshop on reporting about AIDS for high school students.

“Professor Simpson has, with colleagues, developed a new field: journalism and trauma,” wrote Dr. Frank M. Ochberg, adjunct professor of journalism at Michigan State University, in a nomination letter. “The field is burgeoning. Journalism students are learning how to interview without re-victimizing victims. Reporters are seeking the hidden stories of trauma and recovery. Veteran media professionals are openly discussing their own post-traumatic issues. At the center of this field, with modesty and tenacity, Roger Simpson leads by example.”

Simpson will be recognized Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon of the 2001 SPJ National Convention. The banquet will take place from noon-2 p.m. in the Evergreen Ballroom of the DoubleTree Hotel, 300 112th Ave. S.E., Bellevue.

Simpson joined the University of Washington’s School of Communications faculty in 1973 after earning his doctorate and has twice served as the school’s graduate director. He received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism at the University of Washington in 1959 and earned a master of science degree in journalism at the University of Wisconsin in 1962. He worked as a business and economics reporter for The Wall Street Journal and The Detroit Free Press.

“I see this recognition from SPJ as support for our commitment to preparing journalism students for the sometimes harsh reality of the work they’ll do,” Simpson said. “We need journalists who can tell us accurately and sensitively about the pain and courage of those who suffer traumatic injury.”

The Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award is presented annually to an outstanding journalism teacher who has made a significant contribution to the journalism profession and /or journalism education.

Students, former students, colleagues and department heads, as well as professionals in the field, make nominations for the Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award. Anyone teaching in the field of journalism is eligible, although nominees are usually members of SPJ.

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.

-END-

MEDIA PASSES: Media passes for events at the Oct. 4-6 2001 SPJ National Convention may be obtained at the convention's onsite SPJ Office at the DoubleTree Hotel – Bellevue, 300 112th Ave., S.E., Bellevue, Wash.

For more information or to obtain a media pass, contact Sarah A. Shrode, SPJ Director of Communications, at sshrode@spj.org or at the convention's onsite SPJ Office.