Contact:	Fred Knubel	
		Director of Public Information
		212-854-5573, fhk1@columbia.edu		FOR IMMEDIATE USE
									November 11, 1997
		Alison Cirenza, LIFE magazine,
		212-522-7576




Alfred Eisenstaedt Awards Established at Columbia

The Alfred Eisenstaedt Awards for Magazine Photography, a new set of national journalism prizes, have been established under the auspices of Columbia University, it was announced today. They are named for the renowned photographer, known to many as "Eisie," who died in 1995 at the age of 96. They will be given annually to 20 photographers in 14 categories. The judging will be administered by Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism under a grant from LIFE magazine. They join other prizes under Columbia's purview, including the Pulitzer Prizes, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards in Broadcast Journalism and the Maria Moors Cabot Prizes in inter-American journalism. Tom Goldstein, dean of the school, said: "It is gratifying that LIFE has chosen to place these exciting awards at Columbia, with our long experience in the administration of awards in the profession." LIFE's publisher, Ed McCarrick, said: "We are honored that the Columbia Journalism School will administer this prestigious awards program," and David Friend, the magazine's assistant managing editor and director of photography, said: "As one of the fathers of photojournalism, Eisie helped pioneer magazine photography. These awards are a recognition of his lasting impact on the field." More than 170 nominating jurors - photographers, photo editors, curators and others across the country - are now selecting images that will be submitted this month for consideration by a five-member panel of leading authorities in the field. Its choices will be reviewed by a three-member board appointed by the Dean of the Journalism School. The names of winners and finalists will be announced in January and the first Eisenstaedt Awards will be presented formally at a ceremony in New York on March 25, 1998. Winners will receive $1,500 and a unique keepsake designed by Steuben. The winning photographs and some others nominated will appear in a special issue of LIFE next spring. Separately, the magazine will present a special LIFE Legend Award for lifetime achievement in magazine photography. LIFE is also sponsoring a scholarship program in the journalism school in Mr. Eisenstaedt's memory. Categories include documentary, news, sports, geography, nature, science, portrait, fashion, design, advanced technique (including digital), humor, journalistic impact and cover photography. Eligible are single pictures and photo essays published in American magazines during the year. Magazines must be published at least twice a year and be sold independently; newspapers' Sunday magazines, company in-house, on-line and foreign language publications are not eligible, nor is advertising photography. Alfred Eisenstaedt, a founding photographer of LIFE, was among the preeminent photojournalists of his time and one of the great photographers of the 20th century. He covered all aspects of life in America and was perhaps most famous for his picture of a celebrating sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square at the end of World War II. 11.11.97 19,213
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