Gold Medal Journalism

New York's Columbus Circle, a few subways
stops away from Columbia University.

Maybe it was the recent inspiration of the Olympics, but lately I've been thinking about the 2012 Pulitzer Prizes awarded last spring. I once worked at NYC's Columbia University where they honor the recipients each year in an elaborate but distinguished ceremony on their City Set On A Hill campus. (Yes, it was first an Episcopalian college.) 

Two underdogs come to mind from this year's winners: Sara Ganim, the 24-year old reporter of The Patriot-News Staff, in Harrisburg, PA,who broke the Jerry Sandusky story. (See Ganim's thoughts here.) A.M. Sheehan and Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling of the Advertiser Democrat, Norway, Maine, a weekly, who exposed disgraceful conditions in federally-supported housing and within hours, triggered a state investigation.

A few months ago, I heard Ganim's editor speak at a journalism conference along with Sheehan. Both reminded me of the need for tenacity in reporting, vision in editing and commitment to community journalism. So here's to more gold medal stories for our communities!