Celebrate careers in Texas journalism: Nominations sought for TPA awards

Texas Press Association is seeking nominations for awards to be presented at the 2024 TPA Convention & Trade Show June 20-22 in College Station.

The honors include:

• Golden 50 Award

TPA’s Golden 50 Award honors men and women who have displayed exemplary service and selfless contributions to journalism for 50 or more years.

To nominate an industry veteran, download a nomination form from the TPA website and return the completed form to TPA Executive Director Mike Hodges, mhodges@texaspress.com, by March 1.

• Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame

Sponsored by the Texas Newspaper Foundation, the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame honors those who have made an outstanding contribution to Texas newspaper journalism or, through Texas journalism, to newspaper journalism generally; have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities, regions, the state of Texas or the nation through newspaper journalism; have advanced the legacy of a free and responsible press; and have inspired others to improve the quality of the profession of journalism.

The nomination form may be downloaded on the foundation’s website, www.tnf.net. The completed form should include biographical information, as well as supporting documents showing the nominee’s contributions. 

Materials should be sent to TPA Executive Director Mike Hodges, mhodges@texaspress.com, by March 1.

• Frank W. Mayborn Award for Community Leadership

The Frank W. Mayborn Award for Community Leadership is awarded annually to a publisher or newspaper executive who contributed most significantly to his or her local community during the past year.

Nominations must be submitted in writing and should include biographical information, as well as supporting documents explaining why the nominated newspaper executive should receive the award. Materials should be sent to TPA Executive Director Mike Hodges, mhodges@texaspress.com.

• Fred Hartman Award for Outstanding Sports Writing

This year, the award honoring the late Fred Hartman of Hartman Newspapers will be presented to a sports writer working at a Texas newspaper of more than 10,000 circulation. The award includes a cash prize.

Entries must be submitted by the newspaper’s editor, along with a letter. Entries should include PDF tear sheets of five of a writer’s best sports stories originally published in a Texas newspaper during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, with a coversheet stating the name of the writer and the newspaper that employs him or her. Sports photos will not be considered. The winner will be chosen based on quality of writing.

All materials should be sent to Candace Velvin at TPA, cvelvin@texaspress.com, by March 20.

For more information about awards, contact Hodges at TPA or visit the TPA website.

Registration forms and other information about the annual convention and trade show are available on the TPA website, www.texaspress.com.