2009 Stolberg winner Roger Witherspoon. Photo by Rob Goodier.
The Stolberg Award was presented October 7, 2009, at SEJ's 19th annual conference in Madison, Wisconsin to Roger Witherspoon by SEJ president Christy George and programs chair Carolyn Whetzel. In the words of SEJ executive director Beth Parke:
"Roger has given so generously of himself and his remarkable store of knowledge and experience over many years. He's a really important person in the SEJ community, the kind of member that makes the organization truly great. Roger has always been a reliable go-to volunteer, for everything from planning a full day conference tour or moderating a panel to actually reading and responding to financial documents for the audit committee. He's contributed a wise and significant voice to SEJ-Talk [members-only listserve].
"I can remember numerous occasions when Roger provided perspective, mojo and just plain help for the diversity program, or advice and support when SEJ's credibility was attacked by folks working for the nuclear power industry. His No Bullshit approach to his work is refreshing, and always consistent with deeply revered, core values of journalism: independence, credibility and public service. He knows how to give the EPA press office or power company officials a run for their money, I'm sure. He's always welcoming to SEJ newcomers; always a great resource, even for the already well informed."
Information on the nomination procedure for SEJ's 2010 David Stolberg Meritorious Service Award will be posted here soon. Please check back.This annual award honors exceptional volunteer work by an SEJ member. It was created by the SEJ board in 1998 and named in honor of SEJ founder David Stolberg.Much of SEJ's best work is accomplished by member-volunteers: tour and panel organizers for the conference, awards program leaders, contributors to SEJournal, SEJ-talk and www.sej.org, freedom-of-information watchdogs, mentors, and leaders in diversity outreach. Volunteers define the heart and soul of SEJ, and they expand the group's reach and significance in ways that are not easily measured.David Stolberg had a 38-year career with Scripps Howard that included duties for the Scripps Howard Foundation's annual Meeman Awards for excellence in environmental reporting. Stolberg always believed in "the value of networking, of the subliminal training that comes from an association with one's peers." In the 1980s, when Stolberg was assistant general editorial manager of Scripps Howard, he came up with the SEJ idea and kept suggesting it to Meeman winners until he found one who was willing to put in the volunteer time to organize with other journalists and make something happen. That person was SEJ's founding president, Jim Detjen.
Past winners include:
2008 — Margie Kriz
2007 — Mike Dunne
2006 — Dale Willman
2005 — Denny Wilkins
2004 — Ken Ward Jr.
2003 — Orna Izakson and Dawn Stover
2002 — Michael Rivlin
2001 — Russell Clemings
2000 — Paul MacLennan
1999 — Randall Edwards