{"id":3242,"date":"2026-03-26T15:43:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T19:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centralohiospj.org\/?p=3242"},"modified":"2026-03-26T15:43:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T19:43:38","slug":"announcing-founders-day-2026-award-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centralohiospj.org\/index.php\/announcing-founders-day-2026-award-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Announcing Founders\u2019 Day 2026 award winners!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our annual Founders’ Day event is fast approaching, and we want you to join us! Tickets are available here<\/strong><\/a> for our celebration, which will take place at 5:30 p.m., April 15 at the Columbus Center for Architecture and Design<\/strong>. An open bar and hors d\u2019oeuvres are included, along with a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting student scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, we will be honoring Chapter award winners at the event. The Chapter is pleased to announce this year\u2019s award winners, who can be found below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Award winners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First Amendment Award:<\/strong> The Columbus Dispatch, for its legal efforts to secure the release of public information withheld by law enforcement entities under Marsy\u2019s Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appreciation Awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Eric Lyttle (posthumous), a longtime journalist and former SPJ Central Ohio Chapter president who died in April 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • USA Today Network, for coverage of vicious dog attacks, which culminated in lawmakers\u2019 enactment of \u201cAvery\u2019s Law.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Colleen Marshall, NBC4, for coverage of Ohio State University in relation to Les Wexner and Richard Strauss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Garth Bishop, outgoing SPJ Central Ohio board member, treasurer, and former Chapter president.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Lifetime Achievement Award:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Ann B. Walker (posthumous), who was the first female and African-American journalist to cover Columbus City Hall and the State of Ohio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Kent Cahlander, who retired as editor of Gongwer News Service in 2025 after 30+ years in journalism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Jim Provance, who retired in 2025 as Columbus bureau chief for the Toledo Blade after a 40-year career with the paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Ohio Journalism Historic Site Award:<\/strong> The Lima News, which was founded as the Daily Democratic Times in 1884.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Brick Wall Award<\/strong>, a dubious distinction for individuals or organizations violating the spirit of the First Amendment, will be announced at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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