For the past 60 years, Ball State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication has coordinated a national journalism writing award sponsored by generous donors. The award recognizes excellence in journalistic writing. Several winners have gone on to receive Pulitzer Prizes. 

The recipient of the Ball State University School of Journalism and Strategic Communication National Writing Award receives a prize of $1,500 for a body of distinguished work published by a newspaper, magazine or digital news site that shines light on significant and complex subjects, demonstrates a mastery of the topic, and reveals exceptional writing.

Ball State University School of Journalism and Strategic Communication National Writing Award

2024  Georgea Kovanis
2023
  Tim Egan
2022  Esmé Deprez
2021  Hannah Dreier, The Washington Post
2020  Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award

2019    Kristen Gelineau, The Associated Press
2018    Eric Hoover, Chronicle of Higher Education
2017    Robrt Pela, Phoenix News Times
2016    Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2015    Alan Prendergast, Westword
2014    Eric Adler, The Kansas City Star
2013    Rukmini Callimachi, The Associated Press
2012    Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2011    Rukmini Callimachi, The Associated Press
2010    Helen O’Neill, The Associated Press
2009    Maureen O’Hagan, The Seattle Times
2008    Lee Hill Kavanaugh, The Kansas City Star
2007    Janet Kelley, Lancaster New Era
2006    Amy Schatz, The Wall Street Journal
2005    Amy Dockser Marcus, The Wall Street Journal
2004    Rinker Buck, Hartford Courant
2003    Lee Hill Kavanaugh, The Kansas City Star
2002    Christine Evans, The Palm Beach Post
2001    Elizabeth Leland, The Charlotte Observer
2000    Christine Evans, The Palm Beach Post

Nixon Newspapers Inc., National Journalism Writing Award

1999    Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
1998    Walter Isaacson, Time
1997    Tom Hallman Jr., The Oregonian
1996    David Dudley, Baltimore Magazine
1995    Ron Suskind, The Wall Street Journal
1994    Tom Koetting, The Wichita Eagle
1993    Judith Valente, The Wall Street Journal
1992    Rob Hiaasen, Palm Beach Post
1991    Tad Bartimus, The Associated Press
1990    Barry Bearak, Los Angeles Times
1989    Susan Ager, The Detroit Free Press
1988    Robert Jones, Los Angeles Times
1987    Barry Michael Cooper, Spin Magazine
1986    Bill Norton, Kansas City Star Magazine
1985    Susan Harrison, The Muskegon Chronicle

National Journalism Writing Award

1984    Michael Matza
1983    Gannett News Service
1982    The Chicago Sun-Times
1981    The Detroit Free Press
1980    Robert Kapler
1979    Hoag Lewis
1978    The Chicago Sun-Times
1977    Investigative Reporters and Editors
1976    Gannett Foundation
1975    The Wall Street Journal
1974    National News Council
1973    The Washington Post
1972    The New York Times
1971    The Courier-Journal and The Louisville Times
1970    Dow Jones and Company
1969    Theodore M. White
1968    Kelly Smith
1967    Eugene C. Pulliam
1966    Today
1965    The Newspapers Publishers Syndicate
1964    The Associated Press
1963    Marquis Childs
1962    Harrison Salisbury
1961    Irving Dillard
1960    William A. Shirer


2023 Ball State University School of Journalism and Strategic Communication National Writing Award Recipient

Tim Egan

Tim Egan

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