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

New York, NY—The Society of Professional Journalists named University of Maryland student Patrick Grzanka as the 2004 Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate Award winner.

The Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate award recognizes one graduate journalism student on the basis of character; service to the community; scholarship; proficiency in practical journalism; and contributions to their SPJ chapter.

The award was presented at a luncheon during the 2004 SPJ national convention in New York City.

Patrick Grzanka took over responsibility as the University chapter’s treasurer when he joined, and maintained the position for the rest of his college career. This past year he also served as the chapter’s co-president. His ambitions spread far beyond his SPJ involvement. Patrick graduated in three years with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He held internships with the Daily Record in Baltimore and the Cecil Whig, and logged many hours as a volunteer at campus recruitment programs.

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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