Mary Kathryn White Receives Barlow Award

VALDOSTA -- VSU Senior Mary Kathryn White received the Barlow Award for the Student Journalist of the Year from the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) at the 2012 Bi-Annual National Convention at Mercer University. The award is named for longtime SCJ Executive Director Dr. Arthur H. Barlow and is based on outstanding contributions to college journalism.

“Mary Kathryn is a true leader for our News Valdosta program,” said Frank Barnas, mass media professor. “She has the unique ability to find stories with both a strong human element and a compelling narrative. Not only are we proud of her winning the Barlow Award, we're also proud of her continued success with our daily newscast.”

The Barlow Award is designed to allow SCJ chapter advisers an opportunity to bring national recognition to a student journalist who meets the highest standards of ethics, service, leadership and technical skills. The SCJ has 100 active chapters nationwide and 1,200 members.

“It was such an honor to receive this award, and I wasn't expecting it at all,” said White. “My mass media professors at VSU have taught me so many invaluable things, and I wouldn't be anywhere without them!”

White is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and will graduate May 5th. She is in the process of job interviews and plans to move wherever a job takes her, which she hopes to be back to Atlanta where she is from.