Awards and Recognition
The department is proud of the many journalism alumni that the UWO Alumni Association has recognized with awards for their professional and civic successes. Exceptional alumni may receive two types of awards, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award. Journalism alumni have won 35 of these awards. Award-winning journalist Jim VandeHei ’95, co-founder of Politico and Axios, also was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2011.
Get Inspired by Featured Alumni Stories:
The Distinguished Alumni Award
The highest award that alumni can receive from the association. It is awarded to individuals who are active in their professional fields and are widely recognized for their career accomplishments.
Distinguished Alumni
- 2021: Patti (Horejs) Purcell, 1989
- 2014: Anne (Angoli) Enright, 1997
- 2013: Jeff Griffith, 1987
- 2011: Patrick Stiegman, 1988
- 2010: Alan Hobson, 1982
- 2005: Scott Hassett, 1974
- 2002: Paul Anger, 1972
Watch this video of Jim Vande Hei as he was awarded an honorary doctorate after being nominated by Mike Cowling, chair of the Department of Journalism, in May 2011.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Awarded to alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years. Selection is based on professional and civic accomplishments and future promise.
Outstanding Young Alumni
- 2021: Alicia Ly, 2015
- 2018: Mariah Haberman, 2010
- 2015: Renee Delgado, 2005
- 2013: Shane Arman, 2010
- 2013: Kate Briquelet, 2008
- 2012: Rebekah Peppler, 2008
- 2012: Vanessa Verbitsky, 2008
- 2011: Michael Fredrick, 1997
- 2011: Lori Kraus, 2002
- 2010: John Feld, 2000
- 2009: Brad Zibung, 1999
- 2008: Theresa (Crogan) Krajnak, 1995
- 2007: Laura (Denissen) Scherr, 1999
- 2006: Melissa Ewey Johnson, 1995
- 2004: Jeffrey Fitzgerald, 1996
- 2003: Anne Angoli, 1997
- 2002: Jeff Maki and Chuck Monn, 1996
- 2001: James Vande Hei, 1995
- 1998: Patrick Stiegman, 1988
- 1996: Kerry Brown and Scott Fitzgerald, 1985
- 1995: Hugh J. McAloon, 1983
- 1994: Mary Elizabeth Mulloy, 1988
- 1993: Connie Walker, 1983
- 1992: Alan Hobson, 1982
- 1990: Peggy Pihlaja Banach, 1989
- 1989: Jeffrey R. Griffith, 1987
- 1985: Patricia A. Wier Lewis, 1975
- 1983: Linda Lord-Jenkins, 1974