Selingo Named Editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education

We learned today that Jeff Selingo ’95 (Ithacan editor in chief 1994) has been named editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education, the premier publication covering higher education. Jeff has been working there in a number of positions, most recently as an assistant managing editor. He is a consistent supporter of The Ithacan and was the prime mover behind the creation of the Ithacan Scholarhip. He is also a model of how far talent and hard work can get you. Congratulations, Jeff.

Another Former EIC Ties the Knot

Joe Geraghty ’04 (editor in chief 2003–04) and Brenda Ludwig ’03 were married June 2 in Latrobe, Pa., and the event attracted a considerable crowd of former Ithacan staffers. It was a beautiful ceremony and one of the livliest receptions I've attended in quite some time. The couple promptly moved from Bristol, Tenn., to Washington, D.C., where Joe is now a Deputy Legislative Aide for Senator Ben Nelson, the Nebraska Democrat who also employs Charlie Ellsworth ’04 in the same capacity.

Our Best Year Ever

As earlier postings indicate, the paper had a very good year as far as external recognition was concerned. When all was said and done, 2006–07 turned out to be the best awards year for the paper ever. Between recognition for The Ithacan as a whole and recognition of individuals for work publsihed in the paper, we brought home 28 awards this year. Here's the final list:

ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS:
• 2006 Newspaper Pacemaker Award (for 2005–06 academic year)
• 2006 Online Pacemaker Award
• First Place Best of Show Award at the Fall National Student Media Conference, St. Louis, Missouri
(This was the first time a paper has won all three awards at one convention)

COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION:
• 2007 Silver Crown Award (for Fall 2005 semester)
• 2007 Silver Crown Award (for Spring 2006 semester)
• "Apple Award" for Best of Show at the Spring 2007 Student Media Convention, New York City (4th time The Ithacan has won in the 6 years the award has been presented)
• Certificate of Merit, News Writing, Christopher Baxter ’08
• Certificate of Merit, Sports Column Writing, Alejandro de los Rios ’07
• Gold Medalist Certificate for Fall 2005 in CSPA's Annual Newspaper Critique
• Gold Medalist Certificate for Spring 2006 in CSPA's Annual Newspaper Critique

NEW YORK PRESS ASSOCIATION:
• Best Overall Newspaper (category includes weeklies and dailies; this is the 7th time in 8 years The Ithacan has won)
• First Place, General Excellence
• First Place, Best College Newspaper Website
• First Place, Editorial
• Second Place, Design
• First Place, News Story, Christopher Baxter ’08, "Who's Looking?" February 9, 2006.
• Second Place, News Story, William Earl ’08, "Unlocked: Room Security Not Enforced," March 2, 2006.
• Third Place, News Story, Mallory Diamond ’09, "Ithaca College's Black Market," November 9, 2006.
• First Place, Feature Story, Vanessa Schneider ’07, "Living a Second Life," December 7, 2006.
• Second Place, Feature Story, Tricia Nadolny ’10, "Ghost Hunter," November 2, 2006.
• Third Place, Feature Story, Jim Hawver ’07, "Against the Pain," September 21, 2006.
• Second Place, Column, Kim Gillman ’07, "Wanted: Leader for Generation Y," January 19, 2006, and ""Haitian Workers Sweat for Sweets," February 16, 2006.
• First Place, Photography, Evan Falk ’09, "This I See: From the Field," November 16, 2006.
• Third Place, Photography, Chris White ’06, "Two-Year-Old Luna Payne of Varna Helps Her Mom..." April 13, 2006.

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS, REGION 1:
• Mark of Excellence Award, Second Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
• Mark of Excellence Award, Second Place, General News Reporting, Mallory Diamond ’09, "Ithaca College's Black Market," November 9, 2006.
• Mark of Excellence Award, In-Depth Reporting, Second Place, Christopher Baxter ’08, "Screenings on Standby," September 21, 2006.
• Mark of Excellence Award, Third Place, Feature Writing, Vanessa Schneider ’07, "Living a Second Life," December 7, 2006.

None of this would have been possible without the foundation and high standards set by alumni. Congratulations to everyone involved with the paper.

The First Park Student Media Alumni Reception

When we were in New York for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference in March (see March 23 blog entry) we held the first-ever Park Student Media alumni reception at the Roosevelt Hotel, inviting New York–area alums from the Ithacan, WICB and the radio stations to join us for a few hours of (free) food, drink and company. Eloise Greene M.S. ’90 (TV), Chris Wheatley ’81, M.S. ’98 (radio) and I hosted the event.
We were expecting close to 100 people, but a nasty St. Patrick's Eve snowstorm kept many of them away. Still, we had around 50 there, including quite a few Ithacan alums. The met some of our current students attending the conference and reconnected with each other.
Here (finally) is a photo of current and former Ithacan students from the event. Front row (left to right, of course): Vanessa Schneider ’07, Andy Swift ’09, Kristen Sammpiere ’03, James Sigman ’98, and Mike Cagnazzi ’98. Middle row: Nic Barajas ’08, Jamie Saine ’08, and Deepa Shah ’06. Back row: Brendan O'Keefe ’10, Lena Yue ’10, Erica Hendry ’09, Olivia Rebert ’10, Kelli B. Grant ’04, Liz Crowley ’04 and Adam Ellick ’99. Former Ithacan photo editor Scott McDermott ’97 got there too, but, ironically, too late for the photo.
Everyone had a terrific time, so we may do somethng like this again before long.