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“Great journalists don’t strive to win awards. They strive to tell great stories. When they do, the awards come automatically”

— Mac McKerral, SPJ president

 

APRIL 13, 2004 — Recently appointed Anchorage Press editor Tony Hopfinger was among recipients of the national 2003 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for Excellence in Journalism, announced today by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Hopfinger won in the category of feature writing (circulation less than 100,000) for his July 2003 story Desolation Row, profiling the life and suicide of Valdez physician and legendary outdoorsman Dr. Andy Embeck. The 2002 award in this category went to Jeff Seidel at the Detroit Free Press.

In the 2003 contest, 49 winners were named from more than 1,350 entries. The contest was judged by journalists from across the country. Hopfinger was the lone Alaska winner.

“When talented journalists set out to tell compelling stories, regardless of the medium or the size of the media outlet, they serve the public and help sharply define the value of the First Amendment and freedom of information,” said Mac McKerral, SPJ president, through a press release issued with the announcement. “They also teach other journalists at all levels how they can do their jobs better.

“Any of these things individually deserves a high-level of recognition. But collectively, they deserve the highest level of recognition. And that’s a Sigma Delta Chi Award. Great journalists don’t strive to win awards. They strive to tell great stories. When they do, the awards come automatically.”

The awards will be presented July 9th at a banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This summer, winning entries will be showcased online in SPJ’s Gallery of Winners.