Two Journalism Students Win Hearst Writing Awards

By Rachel Dennis

Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 6, 2006) -- Missouri School of Journalism student Dusty Luthy and recent graduate Elspeth Reeve are among the top 20 winners in the in-depth writing competition for the 2005-2006 Hearst Journalism Awards. Luthy won seventh place in the competition; Reeve tied for twentieth place.

Dusty Luthy

Elspeth Reeve

Luthy, a junior news-editorial major from Lebanon, Mo., won a $500 scholarship for her article "Disease Control," which was printed in the Columbia Missourian, the city's daily morning newspaper. Interwoven in the historical context of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, the article discussed the current threat of the avian flu virus and the preparations being made by local and state officials in case of a possible outbreak.

"The letter from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation was one of the most rewarding pieces of mail I have ever opened," Luthy said. "The award caught me completely by surprise, and I am so blessed to have received it. It's a great feeling to have your writing, your work, and your time acknowledged in such a way."

Luthy previously held an internship at The Lebanon Daily Record and served as the public relations director at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway.

Reeve, BJ '05, earned degrees in magazine journalism and political science. From Atlanta, Ga., she received a certificate of merit for her article, "Behind the Bars." The article, which was printed in Vox, was part of a four-article series and examined the criminal justice system in the United States. Vox is an award-winning weekly city magazine that appears in the Missourian.

Upon graduation, Reeve interned at Time magazine and now works for the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C.

The Missouri School of Journalism is currently among the top ten schools in the overall Intercollegiate Writing Competition, with the first three of six contests complete. More than 100 undergraduate accredited schools of journalism in the United States are participating in the program. The final winners will be named in April.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program is presented annually under the auspices of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC) with full-funding by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. It consists of six monthly writing, three photojournalism and four broadcast news competitions, with championship finals in all divisions. More than $400,000 in scholarships and grants are awarded annually.

Rachel Dennis, a senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is pursuing a dual major in journalism (advertising) and political science. She has interned at Norman-Robert Communications in Columbia, Mo., and the Missouri House of Representatives in Jefferson City, Mo. Upon graduation in May 2006, Dennis hopes to pursue a career in account management with a Chicago advertising agency.