Norton receives Scripps Howard Foundation national award

Will Norton Jr., dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications, was named Journalism Administrator of the Year by Scripps Howard Foundation. Its National Journalism Awards honor the best in print, Web and electronic journalism and journalism education for 2004.

Open to all U.S. news organizations and college journalism educators, the awards recognize excellence in 17 categories, including editorial writing, human interest writing, environment, investigative, business/economics, Washington and public service reporting, commentary, photojournalism, radio and television reporting, Web reporting, college cartooning, editorial cartooning and journalism education.

The awards also honor distinguished service to the First Amendment. Cash awards totaling $195,000 will be presented April 15 during a dinner at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"Scripps Howard Foundation presents the National Journalism Awards to celebrate and honor excellent work by America's media and the part journalists play in a free and democratic society," said Judith G. Clabes, foundation president and chief executive officer. "The journalists and educators we recognize have achieved the highest levels of dedication and professionalism. Their work makes a difference for each and every one of us."

As administrator of the year, Norton will receive $10,000 and the Charles E. Scripps award. UNL will also receive a $5,000 grant. The award is given in cooperation with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Knight Foundation and the Freedom Forum.

Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications since 1990, Norton has led the college to new levels of excellence in the quality of faculty and students while at the same time developing outstanding facilities and creating an enviable fund-raising record. He has served as a president of two top journalism education organizations and as the top educator on the journalism education accreditation council. Other finalists for the award were Marilyn Weaver of Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and Dean Mills of the University of Missouri in Columbia.

"I am, of course, delighted that Will Norton has been honored in this way, and I can only add that the award is richly deserved," UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. "The outstanding work that Will has done as dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications is demonstrated by the development of the wonderful new facilities in Andersen Hall, the national awards won by our journalism students in recent years, and by the innovative teaching and learning methods that have been introduced, especially the recent depth-reporting projects on Cuba and France."

The Scripps Howard Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Co.

CONTACT: Will Norton Jr., Dean, College of Journalism & Mass Communications, (402) 472-8269