Contact: Gail Kiles, Assistant Programs Director, 317/927-8000 ext.204 or gkiles@spj.org

New York — Dr. Steven Pasternack has been awarded the 2003 SPJ Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award.

Dr. Pasternack was a journalism professor at New Mexico State University, where he served as the department head from 1994-2002. This June, he died suddenly after returning from a trip to Rwanda. Since 1998, Pasternack made numerous trips to developing countries as a consultant, training journalists and helping develop new media laws. In addition to his 21 years at New Mexico State, his presence as a journalism educator has been felt around the world.

Pasternack received his Bachelor’s degree in English from Queens College in Flushing, N.Y. and his Doctorate degree in Communications and Law from the University of Tennessee.

The Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award was announced at a luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 11 during the 2004 SPJ national convention in New York City. The award will be presented at a memorial service for Dr. Pasternack on the New Mexico State University campus Sept. 19.

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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