School Awards

The School of Journalism hands out nearly two dozen awards to students each year to recognize journalism excellence. Some of the prestigious ones are:

Named for the former faculty member and head of the UA journalism program to recognize the top reporter/journalist in the School of Journalism.

2003

  Cyndy Cole

2004

  Robert A. Purvis

2005

  Andrea C. Kelly

2006

  John D. “Joe” Ferguson

2007

  Djamila N. Grossman

2008

  Nathan R. Olivarez-Giles

2009

  Evan L. Pellegrino

2010

  Megan A. Neighbor

2011

  Marisa A. Gerber

2012

  Kellie A. Mejdrich

2013

  Johanna C. Willett

2014

  Brittny Mejia

2015

  Daniel Desrochers

2016

  Kendal Blust

2017

  Christianna Silva

2018

  Jessica Suriano

2019

  Jasmine Demers

2020

  Vanessa Ontiveros

2021

   Vanessa Ontiveros

2022

   Gloria Gomez

2023

  Vic Verbalaitis

Named for the former faculty member and head of the UA journalism program, the award recognizes the outstanding senior in the School of Journalism.

1968

  Nicholas C. Proffitt

1969

  Pam Ginsbach

1970

  Barbara Schuler

1971

  Jacklyn M. Becker

1972

  Richard H. Gilman

1973

  Karen C. Casto

1974

  Mark S. Kimble

1975

  Diane M. Johnsen

1976

  Stephen C. Mills

1977

  Elinor J. Brecher

1978

  Paul M. Wattles

1979

  Bobbie Jo Buel

1980

  Laura L. Stone

1981

  Gilbert H. Bailon

1982

  Patricia A. Salle

1983

  Sharon K. Huish

1984

  Thomas. R. Frankman

1985

  Margaret L. Hall

1986

  Michael G. Downs

1987

  Steven T. Elliott

1988

  Jill A. Jorden

1989

  Sheila A. McNulty

1990

  Nancy J. Lason

1991

  Laura L. Plachecki

1992

  Justine R. Jimmie

1993

  Kristen L. Cook

1994

  Sarah C. Tully

1995

  Jonathan K. Burstein

1996

  Melissa A. Prentice

1997

  Adam R. Ramirez

1998

  Todd M. Hardy

1999

  Joseph P. Altman Jr.

2000

  Nicole L. Acorn

2001

  Amanda J. Halligan

2002

  Diana L. Young

2003

  Vanessa A. Cartwright

2004

  Jennifer E. Karlman

2005

  John Z. deDios

2006

  Adrienne M. Alvarez

  Aaron D. Mackey

2007

  Jeanie L. Bergen

2008

  Matthew S. Andazola

2009

  Candace L. Begody

  Lauren E. LePage

2010

  Ian R. Friedman

2011

  Marisa A. Gerber

2012

  Melanie N. Huonker

2013

  Kristina Bui

2014

  Mariana S.P. Dale

2015

  Kayla Samoy 

2016

  Julianne Stanford

2017

  Chastity Laskey

2018

   Erik Kolsrud

2019

   Marissa Heffernan

2020

   Rocky Baier

2021

   Sam Burdette

2022

   Diana Ramos

2023 

  Hannah Cree

Named for the former faculty member and head of the UA journalism program, the Brewster P. Campbell Award recognizes the top junior in the School of Journalism.

1967

  Nicholas C. Proffitt

1968

  Bill Roberts

1969

  Marc Adams

1970

  Michael Chihak

1971

  Gordon Brown

1972

  Jerry DeGracia

1973

  Elizabeth Macy

1974

  Jeanette Baaba

  Diane Johnsen

1975

  M. Suzanne McGee

1976

  Beverly L. Medlyn

1977

  John H. Clausen

1978

  Bobbie Jo Buel

1979

  Patricia Zapor

1980

  David F. Hoye

1981

  Patricia A. Sallen

1982

  Gregory P. Morago

1983

  Thomas R. Frankman

1984

  Margaret L. Hall

1985

  Michael G. Downs

1986

  Steven T. Elliott

  Jill A. Jorden

  David L. Koen

  Joshua J. Moss

1987

  Alfred A. Bravo

  Abraham K. Kwok

  Tamara L. Winebrener

1988

  Sheila McNulty

1989

  Paul G. Allvin

1990

  Joseph M. Salkowski

  Laura L. Plachecki

1991

  W. Glenn Cook

  Kristen L. Cook

  J. Gawain Douglas

  Jason H. Eaton

1992

  Brian A. Jaramillo

  Rhonda L. Bodfield

1993

  Sarah Tully

1994

  Alexa F. Haussler

1995

  Joseph R. Barrios

  Melissa A. Prentice

1996

  Adam R. Ramirez

1997

  Zachary D. Thomas

1998

  Kristen L. Davis

1999

  Nicole L. Acorn

2000

  Eric L. Swedlund

2001

  Jennifer E. Levario

2002

  Vanessa A. Cartwright

2003

  Jennifer E. Karlman

2004

  Bob Purvis

2005

  Aaron D. Mackey

2006

  Anthony D. Ávila

2007

  Lauren E. LePage

2008

  Candace L. Begody

2009

  Alec B. Nielson

2010

  Jazmine B. Woodberry

2011

  Rikki D. Mitchell

2012

  Cecelia P. Marshall

2013

  Amer A. Taleb

2014

  Jade Nunes

2015

  Ethan McSweeney

2016

  Christianna Silva

2017

  Jamie Verwys

2018

  Jordan Williams

2019

  Alec White

2020

  Tommie Huffman

2021

  Diana Ramos

2022

   Ella McCarville

2023

  Leah Britton

2023

Ashley Morales

2022

  Julia Blumberg
  Mandy Loader

2021

  Clara Migoya

2020

  Dominika Heusinkveld

2019

  Jessica Suriano

2018

  Emily Ellis 

2017

  Jennifer Hijazi 

2016

  Hannah Gaber

Named for a UA graduate and is given to a student who has persevered in the face of difficult challenges.

2000

  Linda F. Witt

2001

  Gaston Mascarenas

2002

  Meghan D. Saar

2003

  Brian D. Van Buren

2004

  Ty E. Young

2005

  John D. “Joe” Ferguson

2006

  Phakisha L. Peterson

2007

  Jennifer J. Tramm

2008

  Amelia M. Quiroga

2009

  Chelsea M. Rogers

2010

  Michael P. Christy

2011

  William R. Saetren

2012

  Corey R. Lueker

2013

  Noelle R. Haro-Gomez

2014

  Derek Evans

2015

  Fernando A. Galvan III

2016

  Karen Schaffner

2017

  Sergio Calderon

2018

  Andrew Paxton

2019

  Erin Thomson

2020

  Elizabeth Quinlan

2021

  Tommie Lorene

2022

  Chris Pirolo

2023

  Anna Maynard

Named for the founder of the UA journalism program, the Douglas D. Martin Award recognizes students who show courage or stand up to the powers that be.

1964

  Peter Winterble

1965

  Roberta West

1966

  Jon Foreman

1967

  None awarded

1968

  Stephen Lang

1969

  Charles Waters

1970

  Jeff Handler

1971

  Jacklyn Becker

1972

  Toby Burges

1973

  James Wyckoff

1974

  Gilbert P. Carrizosa

1975

  Danny A. White

1976

  R. Robert Rast

1977

  Lawrence M. Works

1978

  Paul E. Tang

1979

  Matthew S. Laughlin

1980

  Samuel J. Ramirez

1981

  Jay C. Heater

1982

  Judith K. Dunwell

  Phillip A. Matier

  Jane Y. Erikson

1983

  William P. Hess

1984

  Robert S. Cauthorn

1985

  Joseph C.R. Garcia

1986

  Stephanie G. Miller

1987

  Gary R. Hovatter

1988

  Lisa C. Ishikawa

1989

  Abraham K. Kwok

1990

  Michael G. Hart

1991

  Rosa A. Robinson

1992

  Sarah C. Tully

1993

  Brian A. Jaramillo

1994

  Kelly J. Gleason

  Bridget A. Morrissey

1995

  Sarah L. Garrecht

1996

  None awarded

1997

  Adam V. Djurdjulov

1998

  Joseph P. Altman Jr.

1999

  Linda F. Witt

2000

  None awarded

2001

  Joshua D. Trujillo

2002

  Jennifer E. Levario

2003

  Nathaniel F. Searing

2004

  Dean B. Knuth

  Kenneth J. Wolverton

2005

  Hillary S. Davis

  Shawn P. Green

  Laurie A. Laine

2006

  Elisabeth L. Rich

2007

  Matthew S. Andazola

  Nathan R. Olivarez-Giles

2008

  Michael B. Schwartz

2009

  Stephen J. Ceasar

2010

  Jacelle E. Ramon-Sauberan

2011

  None awarded

2012

  Matthew A.S. Casey

2013

  Amer A. Taleb

2014

  Yoohyun Jung

  Caitlin Schmidt

2015

  Silvia Sanchez

2016

  Christianna Silva

2017

  Jacob Molinary

2018

  No award given

2019

  Jasmine Demers
  Olivia Jackson
  Robby Leaño

2020

  Nina Kolodij

2021

  No award given

2022

  No award given

2023

  Olivia Krupp

Named for the UA graduate who wanted to recognize students who juggle their studies with the demands of working for The Arizona Daily Wildcat and rewards the top student at the Wildcat as selected by the Student Media adviser.

1953

  Ralph D. Vance

1954

  Gene Ciechanowski

1955

  Ronald Silverman

1956

  Janet Baker

1957

  Robert Walker

1958

  Gordon Evans

1959

  Robert Crawford

1960

  Joe Cole

1961

  Edith Ann Sayre

1962

  John E. Haney

1963

  G.R. Sollenberger

1964

  Gene Smith Jr.

1965

  Lanny Rosenbaum

1966

  Frank Sotomayor

1967

  None Awarded

1968

  Bill Sauro

1969

  William C. Roberts

1970

  Tony E. Sauro

1971

  Pamela J. Engebretson

1972

  Debra L. Krajnak

1973

  Karen C. Casto

1974

  Karen Ryan

1975

  Cecelia C. Goodnow

1976

  Dennise Coggins

1977

  Beverly L. Medlyn

1978

  Paul V. Davenport

1979

  Bobbie Jo Buel

1980

  Stephen W. Williams

1981

  Gilbert H. Bailon

1982

  Judith K. Dunwell

1983

  Andrew N. Van De Voorde

1984

  Kathleen A. Schultz

1985

  Bryn M. Bailer

1986

  Louis A. Varga

1987

  Christine A. Donnelly

1988

  John A. Moredich

1989

  Paul G. Allvin

1990

  Laura L. Plachecki

1991

  W. Glenn Cook

1992

  Karen E. Idelson

1993

  Matthew J. Tresaugue

1994

  Tara R. Meyer

1995

  Jonathan K. Burstein

1996

  Patrick M. Klein

1997

  Joseph P. Altman Jr.

1998

  Brian A. Barker

1999

  Susan K. Carroll

2000

  Tatum J. Williams

2001

  Dylan J. McKinley

2002

  Margaret J. Burnett

2003

  Rebekah L. Kleinman

2004

  Jeffrey L. Sklar

2005

  Brett C. Fera

2006

  Aaron D. Mackey

2007

  Chris S. Coduto

2008

  Allison L. Hornick

2009

  Lance Madden

2010

  Brian J. Roy

2011

  Michael P. Christy

2012

  Lucas M. Money

2013

  Kristina Bui

2014

  Brittny Mejia

2015

  Joey Fisher
  Nicole Thill

2016

  Alicia Vega

2017

  Justin Spears

2018

  Chastity Laskey

2019

  Marissa Heffernan

2020

  Pascal Albright

2021

  Sam Burdette

2022

  JT Thorpe

2023

  JT Thorpe

Named for a UA graduate and journalist who was an assistant to the publisher of Hearst’s Boston newspaper. It rewards the best beginning news writers in the program through a twice-annual competition among selected JOUR 205 students.

1968-69

  Lynne Olson

1969-70

  Jacklyn M. Becker

1970-71

  Richard H. Gilman

1971-72

  Lawrence H. Fleischman

1972-73

  Mark S. Kimble

1973-74

  Diane M. Johnsen

1974-75

  Susanne M. McGee

1975-76

  Edward W. Bassett

1976-77

  Donald J. Meyer

1977-78

  Hans G. Laetz III

1978-79

  Martha M. Johnson

1979-80

  Paul G. Schwalbach

1980-81

  Patricia A. Sallen

Fall 1981

  Andrew N. Van De Voorde

Spring 1982

  William F. Walsh

Fall 1982

  Kenneth C. Agron

Spring 1983

  Paul R. Giblin

Fall 1983

  Jillyn B. Smith

Spring 1984

  Jonathan W. Bass

Fall 1984

  Steven T. Elliott

Spring 1985

  Jill A. Jorden

Fall 1985

  Abraham K. Kwok

Spring 1986

  Melissa A. Schlanger

Fall 1986

  Christopher M. Garifo

Spring 1987

  Gary N. Akers

Fall 1987

  Paul G. Allvin

Spring 1988

  Ian J. Kerr

Fall 1988

  J. Leon Keith

Spring 1989

  Jennifer R. Jones

Fall 1989

  Kimberly J. Chastain

Spring 1990

  Eun K. Kim

Fall 1990

  Robert H. Passaro

Spring 1991

  Matthew P. Wixon

Fall 1991

  Sarah C. Tully

Spring 1992

  Barbara D. Brookman

Fall 1992

  Raina V. Wagner

Spring 1993

  Gregory S. D’Avis

Fall 1993

  Stephen M. Parker

Spring 1994

  Melissa A. Prentice

Fall 1994

  Michelle L. Roberts

Spring 1995

  Kerri M. Ginis

Fall 1995

  Erin C. Mills

Spring 1996

  Evangeline M. Hillyard

Fall 1996

  Zachary D. Thomas

Spring 1997

  Jennifer M. Fitzenberger

Fall 1997

  Anthony C. Braza

Spring 1998

  Kristen N. Roberts

Fall 1998

  Eric L. Swedlund

Spring 1999

  Brian C. Wahlund

Fall 1999

  Georgia A. Fildes

Spring 2000

  Anastasia Ching

Fall 2000

  R. Ryan Finley

Spring 2001

  Mark K. Melamed

Fall 2001

  Erica M. Yoder

Spring 2002

  Michael Baker

Fall 2002

  Saul A. Loeb

Spring 2003

  Daniel D. McGuire

Fall 2003

  Aaron D. Mackey

Spring 2004

  Allison M. Winters

Fall 2004

  Chris S. Coduto

Spring 2005

  Jenna L. Wagner

Fall 2005

  Claire M. Landowski

Spring 2006

  Bethany J. Slim

Fall 2006

  Chelsea R. Hodson

Spring 2007

  Brian P. Kimball

Fall 2007

  Heather L. Trujillo

Spring 2008

  Alyson M. Van Dyke

Fall 2008

  Kevin M. Zimmerman

Spring 2009

  Steven N. Jury

Fall 2009

  Michael A.J. McClellan

Spring 2010

  Alexandra K. Newman

Fall 2010

  Camille E. Mathieu

Spring 2011

  Graham G. Zurheide

Fall 2011

  Scott S. Oathout

Spring 2012

  Danielle R. Herrington

Fall 2012

  Razanne M. Chatila

Spring 2013

  Alison R. Dorf

Fall 2013

  Katelyn Kennon

Spring 2014

  Melissa Hughes

Fall 2014

  Jordan Fowler

Spring 2015

  Brandi Walker

Fall 2015

  Erik Kolsrud

Spring 2016

  Marissa Heffernan

Fall 2016

  John Ricker

Spring 2017

  Hannah Dahl

Fall 2017

  Rocky Baier

Spring 2018

  Betty Hurd

Fall 2018

  Pascal Albright

Spring 2019

  Quincy Sinek

Fall 2019

  Denali Keefe

Spring 2020

  Capri Arden Fain

Fall 2020

  Jane Florance

Spring 2021

  Katie Thuemling

Fall 2021

  Ana Teresa Espinoza

Spring 2022

  Erika Howlett

Fall 2022

  Sam Parker

This endowed award recognizes the best beginning photojournalism students and honors Drew Gyorke, an adventurer and aspiring photojournalist who died his junior year, May 26, 2013, in a Tucson car accident. Read more about the award.

Fall 2023

  • Na'ilah Lockhart (first)
  • Beatriz Mojardin (second)
  • Jake George (third)

    See the photos here.

Spring 2023

  • Madison Farwell (first)
  • Noor Haghighi (second)
  • Nicalette Apodaca (third)

Fall 2022

  • William McMurry (first)
  • Olivia Lopez (second)
  • Talia Doninger (third)
    See story and photos

Spring 2022

  • Teressa Enriquez (first)
  • Payton Rutkowski (second)
  • Gracie Sleeman (third)
    See story and photos

Fall 2021

  • Allison Burgess (first)
  • Anna Maynard (second)
  • Gracie Lordi (third)
    See story and photos

Spring 2021

  • Kate Ewing (first)
  • Sophia Heemsbergen (second)
  • Sohi Kang (third)
    See story and photos

Fall 2020

  • Tanya Ence (first)
  • Jessica Hunter (second)
  • Caitlin Claypool (third)
    See story and photos

Spring 2020

  • Marison Bilagody (first)
  • Madison McCormick (second)
  • Mackenzie Payton (third)
    See story and photos

Fall 2019

  • Jacqueline Canett (first)
  • Sunday Holland (second)
  • Nathan McComb (third)
    See story and photos

Spring 2019

  • Marisa Latzman (first)
  • Rebeca Moreno (second)
  • Lexi Horsey (third)
  • See story and photos

Fall 2018

  • Kasey Adrian (first)
  • Alana Minkler (second)
  • Karyme Cuadras (third)
  • See story and photos

Spring 2018

  • Daniel Young-Miller (first)
  • Aly Cantor (second)
  • Alexandra Pere (third)
  • See story and photos

Spring 2017

  • Nels Bergeron (first)
  • Simon Garelick-Mettler (second)
  • Cory Kennedy (third)

Fall 2016

  • Michelle Jaquette (first)
  • Elizabeth Kinney (second)
  • Carmen Valencia (third)

Spring 2016

  • Brooke Cambareri (first)
  • Elise McClain (second)
  • Pablo Lopez (third)

Fall 2015

  • Tobey Schmidt (first)
  • Courtney Talak (second)
  • Cherie Cole (third)

Spring 2015

  • Barja Elkhalil (first)
  • Jordan Glenn (second)
  • Joshua Rojas (third)

Fall 2014

  • Ashley Summerset (first)
  • Skyler Brandt (second)
  • Kristine Bruun-Anderson (third)

Spring 2014

  • McKinzie Frisbie (first)
  • Karen Schaffner (second)
  • Josh Nothnagle (third)

Fall 2013

  • Corina Gallardo (first)
  • Kate Mailliard (second)
  • Liza Rubin (third)

Awarded to tenacious and dedicated UA journalism students who spend a semester in Phoenix covering the Legislature. Named for the Arizona Republic reporter killed in 1976 while investigating organized crime.

Students interested in this fellowship must apply by early October of each year. Must be at least a junior to apply. Contact Academic Advisor Paloma Boykin for more information. 

2024

   Leah Britton

2023

   Isabela Gamez

2022

  Gloria Gomez (see story)

2021

  No fellowship given because of COVID-19.

2020

  Priya Jandu (see story)

2019

  Jordan Williams

2018

  Erik Kolsrud

2017

  Christianna Silva

2016

  David McGlothlin

2015

  Ethan McSweeney

2014

  Daniel Desrochers

2013

  Bethany Barnes

2012

  Kellie Mejdrich

2010

  Alec Nielson

2009

  Megan Neighbor

2008

  Nicole Santa Cruz

  Michael Rich

2007

  Djamila Grossman

2006

  Joe Ferguson

2005

  Andrea Kelly

2004

  Bob Purvis

2003

  Cyndy Cole

2002

  Kelly Lotz

2001

  Eric Swedlund

2000

  Kristen Roberts

1999

  Brett Erickson

1998

  Zachary D. Thomas

1997

  Tom Collins

1996

  Ann McBride

1995

  Beth Silver

1994

  Sarah Mayhew

1993

  Sarah Tully

1992

  Rhonda Bodfield

1991

  Jason Eaton

1990

  Paul Allvin

1989

  Laura Plachecki

1988

  Sheila McNulty

1987

  J. Jennings Moss

1985

  Stephanie Miller

1984

  Robert Bartlett

1983

  Ronald Rogers

1982

  Michael Murphy

1981

  Patricia Sallen

1980

  Laura Stone

1979

  Bobbie Jo Buel

1978

  Daniel Wallach

1977

  Cynthia Coffer Chojnacky

The Hugh and Jan Harelson Award for Teaching Excellence is given annually by the school to an instructor who exemplifies the highest quality of teaching, based on nominations from students. The winner is chosen by a committee composed of the school director and at least two people from outside the school (the director can provide additional information for the committee, including teacher course evaluation scores). The winner is given $1,000 and a trophy, generously provided by the Harelson family, handed out at the Just Desserts gathering in May. The winner is kept secret until the award is given out at Just Desserts.

2023

Liliana Soto

2022

Shannon Conner

2021

Fred Brock

2020

Susan E. Swanberg

2019

Susan E. Swanberg

2018

Shannon Conner

2017

Carol Schwalbe

2016

Nancy Sharkey

2015

Nancy Sharkey

2014

Michael McKisson

2013

Rogelio Garcia

2012

Terry Wimmer

2011

David Cuillier

2010

Rogelio Garcia

2009

Jay Rochlin

2008

Kevin Kemper

2007

Maggy Zanger

2006

Jeannine Relly

2005

Jeannine Relly

2004

Jeannine Relly

2003

Susan Knight

2002

James C. Mitchell

2001

James C. Mitchell

2000

Susan Knight

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