Niemans in the News

Documentary produced by Mary Ann Jolley wins 'Grand Award' - April 16

The documentary "Jihad Sheilas," produced by Mary Ann Jolley, a 2006 Nieman Fellow, won the 'Grand Award' for Best News/Documentary at this year's New
York Festivals Television Programming and Promotions Awards. The film, which traces the journey of two Australian women from the conservative heartland of regional Australia into the maelstrom of fundamentalist Islam, was also produced by Renata Gombac and Deborah Masters. Read more about the awards »
Amy Ellis Nutt Recieves 2008 Sigma Delta Chi Award - April 13

The Society of Professional Journalists announced the recipients of the 2008 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism on Monday, April 13. Amy Ellis Nutt, a 2005 Fellow, was honored for her feature article, “The Accidental Artist” in The (N.J.) Star-Ledger. Read a full list of recipients »
Biographer Chronicles Perkins, 'New Deal' Pioneer - April 1

Kirstin Downey, a 2001 Nieman Fellow, recently spoke with NPR's Jacki Lyden on "All Things Considered" about her new biography, “The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Francis Perkins: FDR’s Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience.” Perkins was the first woman named to a U.S. president's Cabinet and as FDR's Secretary of Labor, she worked to establish Social Security. Listen to the interview »
Texas Daily Newspaper Assn. Honors Cobler - March 30

Chris Cobler, a 2006 Nieman Fellow, recently received the Editorial Achievement Award from the Texas Daily Newspaper Association at its annual convention. The award recognizes "courage and commitment to the newsroom and leadership in the community in advocating and pursuing openness and accessibility to government." Cobler also was recently elected to the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board of directors. Read more (PDF) »
The National Book Critics Circle honors Filkins' "The Forever War" - March 13

"The Forever War," a book reporting on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan by Dexter Filkins, was awarded The National Book Critics Circle prize for general nonfiction. The National Book Critics Circle Award is presented annually for the finest books and reviews published in English. Filkins was a 2007 Nieman Fellow.
Learn more about the 2008 award winners »
David Jackson wins Studs Terkel Community Media Award - March 10

David Jackson, a 2009 Nieman Fellow and reporter for the Chicago Tribune, was chosen as a recipient of the 2009 Studs Terkel Community Media Award. Presented annually, the awards honor outstanding media professionals for excellence in covering and reflecting Chicago's diverse communities.
Learn more about David Jackson »
Learn more about the award »
Greenhaw delivers Davis Distinguished Lecture - February 26

Alabama writer, prize-winning journalist, and 1973 Nieman Fellow Wayne Greenhaw delivered Auburn University's Neil and Henrietta Davis Distinguished Lecture on Feb. 25, 2009. The Davis Lecture Series was established in 1996 to honor the late Neil O. and Henrietta W. Davis and to encourage excellence in journalism. Neil Davis was a 1943 Nieman Fellow. Read more »
Solman part of PBS Engage series “Five Good Questions” - February 18

Paul Solman, NewsHours' Business & Economics correspondent and 1977 Nieman Fellow, has been featured as part of the ongoing PBS Engage series called “Five Good Questions.” The series features a PBS celebrity or insider and asks visitors to send in questions to be answered the following week. Read more »
Don Janson dies at 87 - February 5

Don Janson, who's long career in journalism included 34 years with The New York Times, died Feb. 1 at the age of 87. By the time he retired he had interviewed nine U.S. presidents and covered many of the most notable events of the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s. Janson was a 1953 Nieman Fellow. Read more »
James Colvin dies at 96 - January 27

James E. Colvin, a scholar and one of the oldest living fellows, died Jan. 4, 2009, at 96. He was a member of the Class of 1942. Read more »