2011 SCJ Contest
MAJOR AWARDS

The Barlow Award for the Student Journalist of the Year

The award is named for longtime SCJ Executive Director, Dr. Arthur H. Barlow. This award is based on outstanding contributions to college journalism. It is designed to allow SCJ chapter advisers an opportunity to bring national recognition to a student journalist who meets the highest standards of ethics, service, leadership and technical skills. The winners also receive a $500 prize from National SCJ. The 2011 Arthur H. Barlow Award for Student Journalist of the Year has two recipients.

Jose Martinez was nominated by Tom Nelson, the Director of Student Media for Loyola Marymount University. Martinez served as Editor in Chief of the Los Angeles Loyolan Newspaper from February 2010 until February 2011. He is a theological studies major who plans to graduate in May 2011. Nelson writes, “Jose has been instrumental in ensuring that the Loyolan newspaper is the true voice of the students at this private, Catholic university. By demonstrating his commitment to creating accurate, relevant and responsible content, Jose has proven that students are capable of producing award-winning content without prior review or restraint.”

Loyola Marymount University President, David W. Burcham, wrote, “He (Jose) understands that most issues and problems do not lend themselves to easy solutions, but are complex and multi-faceted, and solutions must mediate tensions among various persons or constituencies affected by the problem. Jose is truly gifted in his yearning to be fair as he publicly describes issues and offers suggestions for solutions.”

The second Barlow Award winner is Anthony O’Hagan from Utica College. Rashida Hull nominated Anthony. In a letter of support, Patricia Louise, adviser to the student-run newspaper, the Tangerine wrote, “AJ (Anthony) has autism. I do not mention that to garner him special consideration. I mention it because it is an integral part of who he is as a journalist. One of the first things I learned about AJ was that he was autistic, and so was his little brother. Once AJ was old enough to realize this, he vowed to become a role model for his brother, to show him that autistic people can lead normal lives and can achieve normal things. For AJ, those achievements have come in journalism, specifically sports journalism. They have been anything but normal. His achievements are exceptional.”

The Barker Award for Adviser of the Year

This award recognizes the commitment and contribution the adviser makes to an SCJ Chapter. It is named for longtime SCJ National Council member and Past President, Sheridan C. Barker. Excellent SCJ chapters thrive and endure because of the commitment of the SCJ adviser. The adviser is a mentor and a facilitator, a motivator and a link to the chapter’s past and the national organization’s future. The Barker Award recognizes such individuals who are the foundation of our national organization. It is a citation of lifelong achievement.

This year’s Barker award winner is Sharon Behl Brooks the SCJ chapter adviser at Hastings College. The nomination was made by former SCJ Executive Director, Dr. Arthur H. Barlow. Barlow said, “She was an adviser when I took over the office in the early 1990s. She has always been vigilant in keeping her chapter moving forward.”

“The Hastings College chapter has a thick file,” said current Executive Director, Dr. Mary Beth Earnheardt, “and Sharon Behl Brooks is all over it. I haven’t had the pleasure of speaking with her, but the file reveals a long history of awarding her students with medals and certificates of merit, entering the contest and helping guide an active chapter. She’s a committed adviser and we’re lucky to have her.”

Outstanding New Adviser

This award is given to an adviser who has advised a chapter (new or existing) for a period of no longer than 6 years and no shorter than 2 years. The purpose of this award is to recognize a new and energetic member of the SCJ family.

This is the inaugural year for this award and the first recipient is Allison Dyche from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Dyche was nominated by John R. Bennett who is the Director of Student Media for Savannah College of Art and Design. Bennett wrote, “…Allison has gained the students’ respect and admiration by being a dependable advocate for their rights as journalists. She stands up for them and the important work they are doing on our campus and often finds herself educating other staff and faculty members about the necessity and value of independent student media. Her firm commitment to high educational, professional and ethical standards has been a critical factor in developing and maintaining our programs and fulfilling our institutional mission of preparing talented students for professional careers.”

The McDonald Award for Outstanding National Chapter

Edward E. McDonald spent 15 years of his retirement working tirelessly as national secretary-treasurer of Pi Delta Epsilon; the organization merged with Alpha Phi Gamma in 1975 to become SCJ. This award, in his memory, is given to a chapter that upholds the highest ideals of college student journalism. It is awarded to a long-standing chapter. This year the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania chapter is our McDonald Award winner.

The Lock Haven chapter was nominated by former SCJ Executive Director, Dr. Arthur H. Barlow. Barlow said, “Lock Haven should have gotten this award years ago. Doug Campbell and his students have been a great addition to our group. They hosted a biennial many years ago and did a great job. This is without a doubt one of our top chapters.”

Outstanding New Chapter

This award is given to a chapter that has been chartered or reactivated for a period no longer than 6 years and no shorter than 2 years. The purpose of this award is to recognize a new and energetic member of the SCJ family.

This is the inaugural year for this award and the first recipient is Keene State College. The Keene Chapter was chartered on March 26, 2007. The petition was filed by Dr. Marianne Salcetti. Since then there have been 75 inducted members. Keene was nominated by Dr. Mary Beth Earnheardt. “Keene State is a nice solid chapter,” said Earnheardt. “I had a memorable conversation with Dr. Salcetti this Fall and it made me look back at the file. They enter and place in the contest and seem to have a large and active group of student journalists. But, I guess the thing I liked so much was the energy Dr. Salcetti had about this group. With this type of start I think Keene State will be one of our best moving forward.”

The Ingelhart Award for Freedom of Expression

This SCJ Award recognizes a special and courageous contribution to student journalism. It is named for the “great one” of collegiate journalism, Louis Ingelhart. It is the only SCJ Award that may be awarded to non-members and it carries a $500 prize from National SCJ.

This year the award goes to Michael Koretzky (pictured right) . Many members of the SCJ National Council are familiar with Koretzky as he is hard to miss at the CMA convention and our students often talk about his inspiring sessions. Andrea Breemer Franz, SCJ Chapter Representative and Communication Department Head at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania, nominated Koretzky. She wrote, “I admire, above all, Koretzky's passion for teaching student journalists, especially about their rights and responsibilities. He has inspired my own students in his CMA sessions, and while I know that he's not always been a popular figure among colleagues and administration, I think his model as a passionate defender of a free press--often at his own peril--is precisely the sort of voice we need in higher education.”