David Stolberg Meritorious Service Award

Nominate an Outstanding SEJ Volunteer!

Deadline: Sept. 15, 2025

David Stolberg

Each year, SEJ honors a member whose exceptional volunteer work uplifts our mission and community with the David Stolberg Meritorious Service Award. Created by the SEJ board in 1998 and named for SEJ founder David Stolberg, this award celebrates the spirit of service that’s at the heart of our organization.

SEJ’s community is built and powered by volunteers: our conference co-chairs, tour and panel organizers; awards judges and screeners; student newsroom, diversity outreach leaders and mentors; Freedom of Information Task Force members; and moderators and contributors to the lively conversations on SEJ-Talk.

David Stolberg’s 38-year career at Scripps Howard included leadership of the Scripps Howard Foundation’s annual Meeman Awards for excellence in environmental reporting. He believed deeply in the power of peer connection and “the subliminal training that comes from an association with one's peers." In the ‘80s, as assistant general editorial manager, he championed the idea of SEJ and pitched it to Meeman Award winners until one, Jim Detjen, stepped up to bring it to life, eventually becoming SEJ’s founding president.

The Stolberg Award honors a current SEJ member whose volunteer service exemplifies this same spirit of dedication and initiative. Current SEJ board members and past recipients are not eligible. Former board members may qualify, but only for volunteer work done outside their board tenure.

Anyone may submit a nomination, including SEJ staff and non-members. Nominate by Sept. 15:

Send the nominee’s name(s) and a short note about their volunteer contributions by completing this form. SEJ may quote from nominations online or during the award presentation.

Help us recognize and celebrate the members who sustain and strengthen SEJ. Nominate a deserving volunteer leader today!