A senior journalism major has been named one of the top 10 winners in the college Personality/Profile Writing category of the 61st annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program. Olivia Wales placed seventh in the contest for her spring 2021 TCU 360 feature article, “Chemistry professor misses first TCU basketball home game in 40 years due to pandemic restrictions.” Her article is part of the “Living Legacy” project in student media, where students profile people who have left a legacy at the university.
Wales thanks her journalism professor Jean Marie Brown for her guidance and mentorship that shaped her into the journalist she is today.
“Jean Brown deserves all the credit for my participation in the program. She has been a mentor for me throughout my time at TCU and has taught me much of what I know about writing and reporting. Dr. David Minter was an exceptional person to profile, and I am glad this award may draw more people to read about his contributions to TCU. I am proud that my journalism career at TCU is culminating with placement in the Hearst Journalism Award program, and I am grateful for mentors such as Jean Brown who have inspired me and challenged me to be better each day,” said Wales.
There were 114 profile writing entries submitted from 64 universities in Hearst’s fourth writing competition of this academic year. The top five winners receive scholarships while the remaining five students, Wales included, receive a Hearst certificate. Founded in 1960, the Hearst Journalism Awards Program provides support, encouragement and assistance to journalism education at the college and university level.