Evangel University senior Christine Temple has been named the 2013 Arthur H. Barlow Student Journalist of the Year by the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ).
The award committee cited “major competition” from finalists across the nation.
“She distinguished herself exceptionally on so many levels that she was the clear choice,” says Bill Ruehlmann, SCJ past president and member of the selection committee.
Temple, a Journalism major from Ozark, Missouri, is editor-in-chief of the The Lance, Evangel’s student newspaper. She will receive a plaque and a $500 stipend in recognition of her achievements.
Ruehlmann said the rigor of professionalism and intensity of spirit displayed throughout the wide field of nationwide competitors reflected their talent, training and discipline. The nominees “displayed superior devotion to the craft of journalism and its ethical practice,” Ruehlmann says.
Chapter adviser Melinda Booze, assistant professor of communication, nominated Temple.
“A notable characteristic that Christine demonstrates is that she does not hoard her knowledge, experience or expertise but invests it in younger students. She serves them, the student body and the legacy and future of The Lance with her consistent and generous mentoring,” Booze says.
The Arthur H. Barlow Student Journalist of the Year Award is named for a longtime SCJ executive director and journalism educator. Barlow, now retired, served on the selection committee along with Ruehlmann, also a former executive director who is now retired, and Mary Beth Earnheardt, current executive director and educator at Youngstown (Ohio) State University.
The Barlow Award allows 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.
Temple credits her education and professors at Evangel for providing her with the training necessary to be qualified for such a prestigious award.
“Winning this award speaks to the training I received from my journalism professors and the dedication of The Lance staff members I have worked with,” Temple says. “It means so much to be recognized by veteran journalists. This is a great send-off to my time at Evangel.”
Temple has served as The Lance editor for five semesters and is currently president of Evangel’s SCJ chapter. She also interns as a reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She will graduate in May and continue her internship through the summer and plans to stay in Springfield to pursue reporting opportunities for at least a year.
“Within a few years I hope to move out of Missouri and work at a daily paper in a large city,” she says. “I am prepared for various jobs within a newspaper: reporter, photographer, online team or videographer. I would be excited and grateful with any opportunity to practice my craft.”
Fairfield University's Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP) will host a free public film series beginning on Wednesday, February 20 with the first of three films about the American educational system and related topics. The series is sponsored by GSEAP, The Office of Graduate Student Life and the Connecticut Writing Project-Fairfield.
