DOWNLOAD INFORMATION AND NOMINATION CRITERIA

Send Nominations to mthomas@okpress.com

Presented annually by the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation, the Beachy Musselman Award recognizes a journalist for his or her contribution to the field of printed journalism or its related field. The recipient of the award, who is selected by ONF, receives a plaque and $750.

The award, established in 1969 to recognize and encourage quality journalism in practice, education and research, is named after the late Norman Beachy Musselman, former editor and general manager of the Shawnee News-Star. Musselman also served as president of the Oklahoma Press Association in 1961.
Extra consideration is given on the basis of service to the community, initiative in reporting, photographing or interpreting the news. Nominations for reporters and editors are encouraged.

HOW TO MAKE A NOMINATION

Nominations, which may be made by anyone, must include biographical information showing work in the newspaper industry or related field and reasons you believe the person is deserving of the award. Additional information may be requested by the ONF board of directors.

Send nominations and accompanying information to mthomas@okpress.com or mail the information to the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation, c/o Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 or fax to (405) 524-2201.

Nominations are due by Dec. 28, 2007
.
The award will be presented at the 2008 Mid-Winter Convention in Oklahoma City.

BEACHY MUSSELMAN BIO

Norman Beachy Musselman was born July 17, 1897, in Falls City, Neb., graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1918 and did graduate work at the University of Kansas in 1920 and 1921. From 1922-23, he was city editor of the Arkansas City Daily News in Kansas and, from 1924 to 1942, served as advertising manager of the Arkansas City Traveler.
He was editor and general manager of the Shawnee News-Star from 1945 until his death on Aug. 6, 1963.
A few months after his death, his widow, the late Ruth Musselman, asked the OPA to administer a Norman Beachy Memorial Fund. The memorial contribution proved to be the catalyst needed to establish the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation (ONF). The first contribution to the foundation was the Norman Beachy Musselman Memorial Fund. ONF was established to serve as a trust for donations of money, securities or other property.
Musselman was a consistent winner of editorial writing awards and his columns, "Beachnuts and Newsbeams," also won many awards.
He was a founding member of the American Legion, joining other veterans to form the new organization after serving as a signal corps aviator in World War I.
Musselman served as president of the Oklahoma Press Association in 1961, which coincided with building and moving into the OPA office building at 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.

Past recipients of the Beachy Musselman Award:
2006 Louise Abercrombie,
Business Editor, Ponca City News
2005 Barbara A. Walter, Publisher
Hennessey Clipper
2004 Dr. Terry M. Clark, Director of Department of Mass Communications
University of Central Oklahoma
2003 J.B. Blosser Bittner, Managing Editor
Woodward News
2002 Gary Reid, Publisher
Kingfisher Times & Free Press
2001 Jim & Becky Mayo, Publishers
Sequoyah County Times (Sallisaw)
2000 Wayne Trotter, Publisher
Shawnee Sun
1999 Jack Lancaster,
OSU Daily O’Collegian
1998 David Fallis, Investigative Reporter
Tulsa World
1997 J. Leland Gourley, Publisher
OKC Friday
1996 Terry Hoggatt, Managing Editor
Cushing Daily Citizen
1995 Alex Adwan,
Tulsa World
1994 Dave Story, Publisher
Claremore Progress
1993 John & Faith Wylie, Publishers
Oologah Lake Leader
1992 Bob Lobsinger, Publisher
Newkirk Herald-Journal
1991 Ed Montgomery, Editorial Page Editor
Norman Transcript
1990 Mary Goddard, Assistant City Editor
The Daily Oklahoman
1989 Carter Bradley,
OPA Capitol News Bureau
1988 O.B. Campbell, Publisher
Vinita Journal
1987 Ralph Sewell,
OPA Capitol News Bureau
1986 Sharon Wright, Political Reporter
Stillwater NewsPress
1985 Beth Macklin, Religion Editor
The Tulsa World
1984 Patricia Miller,
High School Journalism Teacher
Putnam City West (OKC)
1983 Ed Burchfiel, Publisher
Cordell Beacon
1982 Joseph E. Howell, Reporter
The Tulsa Tribune
1981 Dr. Harry Heath,
Director of School of Journalism
Oklahoma State University
1980 Dr. Ernest F. Larkin,
Professor of Journalism
University of Oklahoma
1979 Callaway Buckley, Executive Editor
Duncan Banner
1978 John Young, Executive Editor
Sapulpa Herald
1977 Jane Glenn, Reporter
Norman Transcript
1976 Robbie Trammell, Editor
Seminole Producer
1975 Pete Crow, Publisher
Grove Sun
1974 Jack A. Reese, Executive Editor
Norman Transcript
1973 Jack Stone, Managing Editor
Anadarko News
1972 Jack Taylor, Investigative Reporter
Daily Oklahoman
1971 Travis Walsh, Managing Editor
Tulsa World
1970 Harry Culver, Chief Reporter
United Press International
1969 Dr. Walt Ward,
Associate Professor of Journalism
Oklahoma State University