Howard University Student and Seattle Native Phillip Lucas to Receive Student Journalist of the Year

Phillip Lucas

"I am honored and grateful to be recognized for my hard work.  It is an honor and a privilege to receive the award," said Lucas.

The Student Journalist of the Year is awarded to a black full-time collegiate journalist who has excelled within the field of journalism through a story, body of work, series or photograph(s) published or aired during the period of eligibility. The student can be in print, broadcast, radio, photography, magazine or new media and must display a strong commitment to NABJ and academics.

"Phillip is one to watch and worthy of NABJ's support and recognition. When I think of Phillip, I think of excellence. I'm confident that NABJ would be proud to count him among its ranks - just as we are at Howard University," said Yanick Rice Lamb, Howard University Journalism Professor.

NABJ's most coveted awards honor the groundbreaking accomplishments of black journalists and those who support blacks in the media.

"NABJ is pleased to recognize Phillip Lucas, one of our best and brightest students," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times.

Lucas, 21, is a senior print journalism major and recent graduate of Howard University.  A former participant in The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, he is working toward becoming an accomplished journalist. After working on his campus newspaper, he earned an internship with the Washington bureau of The Buffalo News. Lucas will participate in the Freedom Forum’s Chips Quinn Scholars Program this summer and work as an intern at the Washington Post.

Lucas had no plans to go to college - that is, until he accidentally became a journalist in high school.  "Journalism was just an elective class I took in high school. I ended up really liking it," said Lucas.  Lucas aspires to become a correspondent.

"Lucas is a prime example of the outstanding black journalists produced by our HBCU's," said NABJ Student Representative Georgia Dawkins. "I look forward to watching his career grow."

The Salute to Excellence Awards Gala recognizes journalism that best covered the black experience or addressed issues affecting the worldwide black community during 2009.

 NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair will take place July 28- August 1 in San Diego, Calif. For additional information, ticket sales, registration, please visit us at www.nabj.org.