Students and photo program win at Hearst competition
(June 6, 2004) -- Two UF students walked away major national winners in the Hearst Competition this week, Dean Terry Hynes announced today. Daron Dean won national second place in photojournalism, and Jeff Butera won national second place in television news. Both Jeff and Daron were among the total 24 college student finalists from across the country in San Francisco competing for national honors in writing, photo, and broadcast journalism. Jeff also won another special award for best use of television. The latter award earned Jeff $1,000. Both Daron and Jeff received scholarship money for their 2nd-place wins.
Not only did Daron and Jeff do outstanding professional work on site and under deadline in these competitions, but they also represented UF in every way possible in the very best ways, Hynes said.
UF's photojournalism program again won national second place honors for its total performance. That brings $5,000 to the Department of Journalism. Dean Hynes announced that she will match that amount with another $5,000 from the college's annual fund drive—for the department to use in whatever ways it decides will help strengthen the learning environment for students.
“The Hearst Competition is often referred to as the Pulitzer Prizes for college students, and the College has a long tradition of doing well in Hearst. I hope we will continue to sustain and strengthen that record in the years ahead,” Hynes commented.
The contest, sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, is designed to encourage excellence in journalism education. Prizes are awarded in writing, photography, television and radio news to undergraduates at accredited schools of journalism. School-year competitions are judged by panels of media professionals. Finalists compete at national championships in San Francisco. Winning students and their schools earn cash prizes and special medallions.
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