Columbia Scholastic Press Association

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CSPA is affiliated with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association (CSPAA) will present its Joseph M. Murphy Award to Kathleen Zwiebel and its Charles R. O'Malley Award to Linda Puntney in 2010.

The awards will be presented during a special Advisers Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 19, 2010 in the Rotunda of Low Memorial Libray on the Columbia University campus in New York City. The luncheon is presented as part of CSPA's 86th annual Convention, taking place from March 17-19, 2010 at Columbia University.

Kathleen Zwiebel was the 1998 Dow Jones Newspaper Fund National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year. She advises five publications at Pottsville Area High School in Pottsville, PA. In the past the publications have  received national and state honors from CSPA, NSPA and PSPA. A 1996 CSPA Gold Key recipient, Zwiebel also received the CSPA Diamond Jubilee Award, Charles R. O'Malley Award for Excellence in Teaching, NSPA Pioneer Award, JEA Medal of Merit and PSPA Teacher of the Year. She serves as past president of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association and chairs its honors committee.

The Joseph M. Murphy Award recognizes outstanding service to the Association over many years. It is intended as the ultimate distinction offered by the Association for service by a person.

Murphy was the founding director of the CSPA and the award honors his 45 years of distinguished service to the student press and to Columbia University.

Linda Puntney is the executive director of the Journalism Education Association, assistant professor of journalism, director of Student Publications and adviser of the award-winning Royal Purple yearbook at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Puntney directs the summer Flint Hills Publications workshop, JEA Advisers Institute and Yearbook Workshop and Idea Forum. Among her honors are the CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer Award and the JEA Carl Towley Award.

The Charles R. O'Malley Award recognizes “a sustained record of outstanding teaching" in support of student journalism or student publishing. It is intended to be the CSPA’s highest accolade in support of the core function of teaching as related to student-practiced journalism.

O'Malley was the CSPA's second director and the award honors his generous service to the student press and to Columbia University, his alma mater.

A limited number of seats are still available for the Friday, March 19th luncheon. While the luncheon is free to attend for registered advisers, each person must reserve their seat in advance for the luncheon. Click here for more information on the Convention and registration details.

* Photo of K. Zwiebel courtesy of Pottsville Area High School. Photo of L. Puntney courtesy of Kansas State University.