Topic: College of Communication Information and Media
April 2, 2014
Eric Adler, a senior reporter for The Kansas City Star, has won the 2014 Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award presented annually by Ball State University’s Department of Journalism.
Adler is being honored for his April 21, 2013, article “Life of the Party” about a terminal cancer patient’s public farewell. The distinguished journalist will be recognized April 9 at the department’s annual luncheon with a plaque and $1,500 prize, presented on behalf of the Pulliam family, sponsors of the annual writing award.
Adler will present a lecture, “A Journalist's Unexpected Journey: Lessons Along the Way,” as part of the journalism department’s Professional-in-Residence series. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. April 9 in Cardinal Hall in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
Judges praised “Life of the Party” for its sensitive, meticulous reporting and engrossing narrative.
“What initially, to me, sounded like one of the saddest stories I had ever reported in my 29 years in the profession,” Adler said, “ended up as one of the most life-affirming.”
Adler specializes in narrative features for The Kansas City Star, where he has worked as a reporter since 1985. He has received distinguished recognition for his journalism, including the National Headliner Award, the Missouri Lifestyle Journalism Award, the McClatchy President’s Award, honors from the Society for Feature Journalism, and several local, regional and state awards. A resident of Kansas City, Mo., Adler is a lecturer at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism.