Alumni awards

The COLLEGE recently named Prof. Sandra Chance, JM 1975, MAMC 1985, the McClatchy Professor in Freedom of Information. Chance, who directs the College’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, has been a faculty member since 1993.

Jane Neubauer, JM 1987 and Jenny Mackie, PR 1995, work at the North Broward Medical Center in Broward County. Neubauer is a community relations specialist and Mackie is regional manager of media and community relations.They recently won Florida Hospital Association Mark of Excellence Awards. Mackie’s entry won the print advertising category; Neubauer won the “health improvements and community partnerships” category.

Washingtonian magazine recently named Brigida Benitez, JM 1990, among its “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40.” Benitez, who works for Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, has national appellate and trial litigation practice, with experience representing clients in federal district courts, circuit courts of appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine named her “Woman of the Year” and the Hispanic National Bar Association recognized her as “Latina Lawyer of the Year.”

Blake Fontenay, JM 1990, placed second in editorial writing in the Green Eyeshade Awards, which honor the best journalism among all newspapers in the South. Fontenay, an editorial writer at The Commercial-Appeal in Memphis, also placed second in the Tennessee Press Association Awards’ best single editorial category.

Kathryn McHenry, JM 1998, was recognized by eWomenNetwork.com as an “Emerging Leader” finalist. She represented her community at the eWomenNetwork International Femtor Awards Gala in Dallas in July. She was chosen as one of only 24 international finalists from more than 1,000 entries. If she is selected as the “International Emerging Leader of the Year,” she will win a $15,000 award package, which includes cash, a technology grant, a showcase interview on ABC radio, and other prizes.

Danny Ghitis, JM 2006, placed second in the Hearst Intercollegiate Journalism National Championship Shoot-Out in San Francisco in June. He won $4,000 and became the fifth UF photojournalism major to make it to the finals.

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation Journalism named senior John W. Cox one of its seven 2006 Murray Scholars. He will receive the recognition and $5,000 Nov. 12 at La Quinta Resort & Club in California. He’s the fourth student from the College to receive the honor.

communigator wins two magazine awards

For the second consecutive year, the communigator recently won Florida Magazine Association Charlie Awards.

The College’s alumni magazine won a Charlie Award (first place) in Best Department for In Three Acts, a section that includes Juggling Act, Class Act and Tough Act to Follow. It also won bronze in Best Column for “Bo Knows,” the inside back-cover musing of Editor Boaz Dvir, JM 1988.

Last year, it won three bronze awards.

The Charlie Awards are named after the late Charlie Wellborn, MA 1959.