Student Copy Editor Wins Award of Excellence at the Annual ACES Conference

Charles Davis Journalism Studies Faculty

Columbia, Mo. (May 4, 2005) -- Columbia Missourian copy editor Stephanie Milner recently received an Award of Excellence in the student division for the annual American Copy Editors Society Headline Contest. Milner and the other recipients received their awards at the annual ACES conference in Los Angeles.

Stephanie Milner

Being in the public eye is a new thing for Milner. "It's quite strange to be getting publicity as a copy editor. Usually, we're the ones behind the scenes."

Contest entries, numbering 240, consisted of editors' headline collections from the past year. Copy editors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The New York Times and The Tampa Tribune were among the winners. Awards were given according to division and included both staff and student copy editors. Milner received her framed certificate for her honorable mention in front of copy editors from across the country.

"It's been gratifying to watch Stephanie's professional development these past couple of years," said Michael Fuhlhage, assistant professor in editorial and news editor on the Columbia Missourian. "She's been demonstrating top-notch skills since the first time I worked with her, and she's become a real leader on the copy desk. This recognition by ACES gives the professional world a sense of her ability and commitment to copy editing."

Eight Missouri journalism students attended the ACES Conference. Other participants included Sara Bondioli, Mike DeSalvo, Niko Dugan, Erica Hunzinger, Shawn Reid, Diego Sorbara and Blythe Terrell.

"This recognition is well-deserved, and evidence of the quality copy editing students Missouri is producing. It's the Missouri Method in action," said Charles Davis, chair of the news-editorial department.