[fusion_text]DALLAS, TX – June 13, 2018 – The Press Club of Dallas Board of Directors announced plans to expand the Second Annual Hugh Aynesworth Awards for Excellence in Journalism at its monthly board meeting in May.
The Aynesworth awards are named for veteran reporter and long-time Press Club member Hugh Aynesworth, a four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Following the success of the inaugural Aynesworth Awards, dubbed the “Hughees” last fall, Press Club President Cary Broussard said this year’s awards will be expanded to feature even more categories. New categories include public service, editorial opinion, criticism, and lifestyles reporting.
The awards will reward work completed by journalists in 2017. Submissions for the Aynesworth Awards will be accepted beginning June 13 and will be judged by a distinguished panel of journalists who live and work outside of Texas. Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 31, 2018. The finalists and category winners will be honored at a gala awards event in late fall.
Broussard also announced the formation of an Advisory Council to assist with the awards.
Members of the Honorary Hugh Aynesworth Awards Advisory Council are:
- Pierce Allman, director of marketing at Allie Beth Allman & Associates and former program director of WFAA Radio;
- Helen Anders, author of Fixin’ to be Texan and travel writer for the Austin American-Statesman;
- Mollie Finch Belt, newspaper CEO and publisher of The Dallas Examiner;
- Mike Cochran, reporter for the Associated Press and Fort Worth-Star Telegram and Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame inductee;
- Byron Harris, veteran WFAA-TV reporter;
- Rena Pederson, faculty member at Southern Methodist University and former vice president and editorial page editor at The Dallas Morning News;
- Bob Ray Sanders, award-winning mass media journalist, former associate editor and senior columnist of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and past president of the Press Club of Fort Worth;
- Bob Schieffer, long-time CBS broadcast journalist and Chief Washington Correspondent;
- Paul Wahlstrom, past president of the Press Club of Dallas and former executive producer at the Irving Community Television Network; and
- Bobbie Wygant, entertainment reporter and critic at NBC Channel 5 for nearly seven decades, still working part time.
“The Press Club of Dallas is beyond delighted to have this group of talented journalists, community leaders, and communication specialists join our Hugh Aynesworth Honorary Journalism Council. Each person is living proof of a true ambassador for which excellence in journalism stands,” said President Broussard. “The Press Club of Dallas is honored to have each of these outstanding individuals add their name and support to the Hugh Aynesworth Excellence in Journalism Awards.”
Paul Wahlstrom, an active member of the Press Club of Dallas, will serve as Chairman of the Aynesworth Awards.
Wahlstrom said, “It is an honor to help recognize, at this critical time, the best in Texas journalism with this event named for the true legend Hugh Aynesworth.”
“The Press Club of Dallas is beyond delighted to have this group of talented journalists, community leaders, and communication specialists join our Hugh Aynesworth Honorary Journalism Council. Each person is living proof of a true ambassador for which excellence in journalism stands,” said President Broussard. “The Press Club of Dallas is honored to have each of these outstanding individuals add their name and support to the Hugh Aynesworth Excellence in Journalism Awards.
[/fusion_text][button link=”https://pressclubdallas.com/hugh-aynesworth-awards/about-the-reporting-categories/” color=”default” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]About The Reporting Categories[/button][button link=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKStX-ZYZj8WkHjd1J98tdnts2tC16NOsXreNqIYyxakn_3w/viewform?usp=sf_link” color=”default” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Submission Form[/button][fusion_text][/fusion_text][fusion_text]
Background on Hugh Aynesworth Awards and Press Club of Dallas
Presented to Texas journalists and their organizations for outstanding investigative and enterprise reporting during the 2017 calendar year, the second Hugh Aynesworth Excellence in Journalism Awards is open to all Texas journalists and their news outlets in the following categories: Daily and weekly newspapers, television stations, radio stations, magazines, and digital sites.
The Press Club values the development and protection of journalism. Originally formed in 1948, the Press Club of Dallas is a dynamic organization of journalists and professional communicators in North Texas, committed to promoting the discipline of journalism, communication, literacy, current affairs, and First Amendment freedoms. Journalists, communications professionals, and students are eligible to join the organization.
For more information please visit www.pressclubdallas.com or call 214-269-4244.[/fusion_text]
What’s the deadline for submitting?
Mr. Jones – I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. The deadline is Aug. 31, 2018. Thank you!