CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@hq.spj.org
Kim Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists is honored to present Annie Bennett with the 2023 Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate in Journalism Award. Bennett graduated from Emerson College, where she served as the SPJ chapter president and held numerous internships.

"I cannot say enough good things about Bennett. She combines an ease with people and a determined focus that captivates others and earns results,” said Tim Riley, associate professor of journalism at Emerson College. “She promises to make any institution proud.”

This award honors a graduate in journalism who has excelled in their class based on character, service to the community, scholarship, proficiency in practical journalism and contribution to their SPJ chapter.

Bennett has proven to be an outstanding student and journalist. Her professors say she is punctual and attentive. She held six internships — in print and digital reporting for The Boston Globe, video and radio production, broadcast news anchoring and weekly podcasting. While at DigBoston, Bennett was one of the few interns that had an opinion piece published.

“I’m not here to waste anyone’s time. Annie Bennett isn’t either, she’s the real deal,” said Chris Faraone, editor-in-chief at DigBoston, “and I encourage anybody with the opportunity to work with her to take it.”

In addition to her journalistic achievements, Bennett has been an active member of SPJ. In 2020, SPJ New England President Adam Sennott reached out to her about restarting the Emerson College chapter. She got right to work and through roadblocks from the student government, she managed to restart the chapter during the pandemic. Now, the chapter is thriving. In 2021, Bennett wrote for The SPJ News during the virtual convention and participated in the SPJ Student Leadership Institute, she was in the 2022 SPJ Future Leaders Academy cohort and served as a delegate at MediaFest22.

“Annie has such a passion for journalism and for SPJ. She’s always willing to serve and to help with new initiatives. Even better yet, as president of the Emerson student chapter, she was intentional about making sure that her vice-president also felt connected into the wider SPJ community.” said Nicole DeCriscio, SPJ Region 5 Coordinator. “She is a bold, thoughtful leader that has dedicated many hours to SPJ and its members throughout the last few years, and she has a strong sense of justice and fairness.”

Furthermore, Bennett ensures that other students also get learning opportunities. Before last year’s convention, she reached out to SPJ New England about setting up a tour of The Boston Globe for the Emerson Chapter. It quickly turned into a large event where around 45 students from Emerson College and Boston University attended. She also brought a group of students to last year’s convention in Washington, D.C.

Bennett will be recognized at the Collegiate Excellence Awards at the SPJ23 Journalism Convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 29.

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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