St. Louis Section - ASCE

Excellence in Journalism Award Rules

The Excellence in Journalism Award is to honor journalists for outstanding articles that enhance public understanding of the role and impact of civil engineering in designing solutions for clean water, transportation, the environment, and other public works projects.Nominations will be accepted for journalists and producers from English-language, general-interest regional and national newspapers, radio and television stations, magazines, and electronic and Web-based news outlets.

The news media wield tremendous impact on public opinion about civil engineers and civil-engineering-related issues. For example, news coverage can influence vital infrastructure legislation, licensing laws and building codes. Coverage also can affect talented young people’s decisions to pursue careers in civil engineering.

Through this award, ASCE St. Louis Section hopes to encourage continued coverage of civil engineering and related issues as a means of engaging the public in civil engineering initiatives impacting their community.

  1. The award is judged by the Award Committee and approved by the ASCE St. Louis Section Board of Direction. The awards will be presented at the St. Louis Section annual dinner in September. If the recipient desires, the recipient will be endorsed by the St. Louis Section for the national ASCE Excellence in Journalism Award.
  2. The Awards Committee submits to the ASCE St. Louis Section Board of Direction for final approval a recipient who is judged superior based on how well they a) fairly cover all sides of the civil engineering project or issue; b) accurately describe the civil engineering project or issue; c) effectively explain how the project or outcome of the issue benefits the community or region; d) clearly show the civil engineer’s role; e) include the most knowledgeable civil engineering experts; and f) advance public knowledge and understanding of the civil engineering profession and its issues.
  3. The award encourages participation by ASCE members in the form of nomination submission. Award Committee members can also submit nominations, and journalists, editors and producers may nominate themselves or their colleagues.
  4. The award honors stories from general-interest, English-language, non-trade related regional and national newspapers, magazines, electronic/Web-based news outlets, and radio and television stations.
  5. The story must appear between November 1, of the year prior to the award and May 31, of the year the award is given.
  6. If a story is co-authored or co-produced, at least one of the reporters must be a fulltime journalist.
  7. Nominations should include
  8. A cover letter, signed by the nominator
  9. Excellence in Journalism Award Entry Form
  10. Other evidence of merit
  11. A digital copy of the story the nomination is based on (transcript of audio acceptable)
  1. All components of the application must be compiled into one PDF (plus audio/video file if applicable, or link to where it can be downloaded) and emailed to the Awards Committee Chairperson indicated below by June 1. You will receive confirmation of receipt of the nomination. Please notify Awards Committee Chairperson if confirmation is not received.

Nomination packages must be submitted by June 1to:

Susan McCrary

St. Louis Section ASCE Awards Chair

(314) 768-6306

St. Louis Section

Excellence in Journalism Award

Entry Form

Please submit a copy of this form with each entry, and print clearly in ink.

Title of entry: ______

Publication date(s): ______

News organization: ______

Mailing address: ______

______

City: ______State: ______Zip code: ______

Author name(s): ______

Phone: ______fax: ______

Email: ______

Editor or publisher name: ______

Phone: ______fax: ______

Email: ______

IF NOT SELF NOMINATED PLEASE COMPLETE BELOW

Nominated by: ______

ASCE Member (circle one)?: YES NO

Mailing address: ______

______

City: ______State: ______Zip code: ______

Phone: ______fax: ______

Email: ______

I hereby submit this entry for nomination in the ASCE Excellence in Journalism Award.

Print Name: ______

Signature: ______

Date: ______