WKU News & Events

February 28, 2002

WKU Journalism Major Honored
By USA Today

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University student Ryan Clark has been named to USA Today's All-USA College Academic Team.

Clark, a senior from Louisville, was an honorable mention selection in the newspaper's student recognition program. About 100 students nationwide were recognized in Wednesday's editions of the paper.

Clark, editor of the College Heights Herald last fall, was nominated for the award after the student newspaper produced an extra edition that provided coverage of campus and community reaction to the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I'm proud to see Western Kentucky has the only state representative in the pages of USA Today. But the honor is definitely bittersweet," Clark said. "Earlier in the year, the school newspaper won an award for its coverage of 9-11, and I felt the same way.

"It's great to win an award, but when it's a situation like this, when you're having to help cover a national tragedy, you wish you never had to do it at all. You just hope that if the situation arises, your staff will step up and deliver, and the Herald staff delivered a truly great special section."

Clark, a journalism major, also has served as features editor, sports editor and columnist of the award-winning, twice-weekly college paper. Clark has had summer internships at The Baltimore Sun, The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va., and the Cadiz Record in Trigg County, Ky. This summer he'll be working at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"As a journalist, Ryan has demonstrated superior skills as a reporter, writer, editor and manager," said Bob Adams, director of Student Publications and College Heights Herald adviser. "He's bright, he thinks clearly and he's an attentive listener, meticulous analyzer and patient teacher. Most importantly, he is truly a wonderful person -- humble, sensitive and caring. He is most deserving of the recognition."

Jo-Ann Albers, director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, agreed. "Ryan Clark is a superb journalism achiever of highest rank," she said.

The USA Today honor is the latest national recognition for Clark. In March he will receive a $5,000 scholarship as one of five "Most Valuable Staffers" selected by the Scripps Howard Foundation. Last summer he was one of 10 college journalists selected for the Scripps Howard Foundation's Top Ten Scholarship, a $10,000 award.

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