RSJ News
Banquet honors 82 students
05-06-2009
Jerry Ceppos and Nita Spangler, 86, award the Spangler Service Award to graduating senior Amy Beck.
But Nita Spangler, a 1944 UNR journalism graduate, didn’t know about it.
“I don’t know who was more surprised,” said Jerry Ceppos, Reynolds School dean. He’d mentioned the award to Spangler when meeting her for the first time in January.
This year, the 86-year-old Spangler, a former reporter for the Redwood City Tribune, gave her namesake award in person – to Amy Beck, a graduating senior.
At the May 5 banquet, Ceppos said that Beck exemplified the helpful attitude that the award is intended to honor.
“When we need someone to promote Journalism Week, she’s there,” Ceppos said of Beck. “When we need someone to shoot photos of a special event, she’s there. When we need someone to spearhead High School Journalism Day, she’s there.”
Beck was one of 82 students who received $110,000 in scholarships and awards this year.
Retiring professors Bourne Morris and Warren Lerude received a standing ovation when introduced. Morris also received the Nevada Semenza Teaching Award for being “the kind of teacher we’d all like to be.”
Morris thanked her students.
“For 26 years, you have made this the best time of my life,” Morris said.
Many donors attended the event and were acknowledged for their continued support of the journalism program in Reno. The event is named for Ella Savitt (1903-2004). Her family’s Nevada journalism roots extend back to the business they founded in the 1930s, Sierra News Co.
“Ella believed deeply in the value of education,” Ceppos said. “She seldom missed this night and would usually take a minute to remind students that an education is a great gift.”
