Scripps Howard Foundation names Dr. Carter the Journalism Administrator of the Year

Dr. Shirley Staples Carter, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina, has been named Journalism Administrator of the Year by the Scripps Howard Foundation.

She receives $10,000 for the honor, and the school receives $5,000. The award is given in cooperation with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

"I am especially thrilled to have been selected for this honor as the award recognizes a journalism administrator who has made significant contributions to journalism and mass communications education and administration," said Carter. "I appreciate the support of the university administration, faculty, students and staff, as well as friends and alumni of the School."

Carter's award was among several National Journalism Awards announced Friday by the Scripps Howard Foundation, which honored outstanding achievements in print, Web and electronic journalism and journalism education for 2006.

The awards, open to all U.S. news organizations and college journalism educators, recognize excellence in 16 categories, including editorial writing, human interest writing, environment, investigative, business/economics, Washington and public service reporting, commentary, photojournalism, television reporting, Web reporting, college cartooning, editorial cartooning and journalism education. No award was given this year in radio reporting.

The awards also honor distinguished service to the First Amendment.

Cash awards totaling $185,000 will be presented April 20 during a dinner at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"The Scripps Howard Foundation's National Journalism Awards are intended, in a meaningful way, to acknowledge the outstanding work of America's top journalists," said Judith G. Clabes, foundation president and chief executive officer. "The awards honor the individual accomplishments of journalists of all disciplines and bring deserved attention to the important role each of them plays in a free and democratic society."

The Scripps Howard Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The E. W. Scripps Company.