Congratulations to our 2025 journalism award winners!

 

Futrell Award

For outstanding achievement in communications and journalism by a Duke alum: 

Stephen Buckley ’89, Public Editor, The Dallas Morning News

Melcher Award

For the best journalistic work produced in 2024 by an undergraduate student:

1st Place: Storey Wertheimer for “Leaking Roofs, Broken HVACs: Parents Decry Conditions at Durham Elementary Schools”

2nd Place: Sofie Buckminster for “There’s no Judgement (or Lululemon) in Durham’s Naked Yoga Class”

3rd Place: Gabrielle Lazor for “Dive into the world of Tampa Bay offshore fishing at this all-female tournament”

3rd Place: Sophie Levenson for “Duke cross country, track and field athletes describe neglect and discomfort under former head coach Angela Reckart” 

 

Fischer-Zernin Award

For the best local reporting by an undergraduate student: 

Freya Gulamali for “NC independent pharmacies are disappearing as prescription prices soar. So where’s the money going?”

Tess Bierly for “From death row to deliverance: An NC man’s story of wrongful conviction and resilience”

 

Patterson Prize

For sustained journalism excellence, leadership, mentorship, courage, and integrity over the course of an undergraduate career

Sofia Bliss-Carrascosa

Sevana Wenn

 

Sophie Levenson

 

Sofie Buckminster

Storey Wertheimer

Freya Gulamali

Tess Bierly

Sofia Bliss Carrascosa

Sevana Wenn