Three SUNY New Paltz alumni and one faculty member from the Department of Digital Media & Journalism were named among the winners of the New York State Associated Press Association’s 2017 awards, which recognize excellence in reporting across a range of categories.
The winners were announced in a June 3, 2018, press release from the Associated Press Association, which received more than 1,200 submissions for award consideration from newspapers, radio stations and television stations across the state.
SUNY New Paltz applauds the following NYS Associated Press Association award winners:
Nicholas Tantillo ’17 (Journalism) was recognized for his work as part of a team of reporters and producers who created “Hudson Valley Forward: Nurturing the Gig Economy” for the Poughkeepsie Journal. The series won first place in both the Digital Storytelling category and the Public Service category.
The “Hudson Valley Forward” series made inventive use of text messaging to ask Dutchess County residents about their experiences with the gig economy.
The Associated Press Association judges’ panel noted that the project “utilizes the medium most comfortable to the primary audience” and that it “will be a model for other newspapers.”
John Barry ’93 (Journalism) received the rare distinction of taking both first and third place in the Arts/Entertainment Reporting category.
His article “Just Another Person,” a heartfelt tribute to the life of Mary Tyler Moore, was awarded the first place award. Judges described it as “thoughtful reporting and delightful to read.”
The Associated Press Association also honored Barry for his piece, “Where is the Music?”
Robert Miraldi, professor emeritus of journalism, was awarded second place in the Column category, for his running Poughkeepsie Journal feature, “First Freedom,” focusing on First Amendment issues.
The judges observed that this made for a “great theme for a column,” and called it “such a relevant topic for our time.” They congratulated Miraldi on a “strong a clean writing voice” and “good use of statistics and historical context.”
The most recent installment of Miraldi’s column, titled “Right to dissent should include football players,” was published on June 6.
Nina Schutzman ’09 (Journalism) earned second place in the Investigative/Enterprise Reporting for her investigations of a series of issues at Poughkeepsie schools.
Use this link to browse Schutzman’s reporting for the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Visit the Department of Digital Media & Journalism to learn more about opportunities at SUNY New Paltz.
