Award winner

Pit & Quarry columnist Ellen Smith's Mine Safety and Health News has received the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for Public Service in Newsletter Journalism for coverage of the Sago Mine Disaster. The Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards. Mine Safety and Health News staff, Ellen Smith, Melanie Aclander and Kathy Snyder will be presented with their award July 20 during the annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. “These awards represent the best of American journalism,” said SPJ President Christine Tatum. “In an age when it is increasingly difficult to differentiate between fact and opinion and news and entertainment, the outstanding work of these journalists is a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical and responsible news gathering that is of true public service. This award winning work is what all journalists should strive to deliver every day.” Congrats to Ellen and her fine staff. Your comment?