Philip Merrill College of Journalism | University of Maryland

UM Alum Named Top Journalism Graduate by SPJ

For Immediate Release Aug. 22, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- For the second straight year, a University of Maryland alumna has been named the nation’s top journalism school graduate by the Society of Professional Journalists -- making that the third alum to be honored with that award within the past five years.

Philip Merrill College of Journalism May 2003 graduate Erin Fillah will be presented with the Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate in Journalism Award at SPJ’s national convention Sept. 13, in Tampa, Fla.

Fillah has been an active member of UM’s local SPJ chapter during her entire undergraduate career. She served as chair of a number of committees before being elected co-president last year.

In addition to her regular duties, Fillah regularly volunteered to assist with numerous projects inside and outside of SPJ -- including a television special exploring the news media and racial issues, which aired on the college’s cable station UMTV. She also volunteered her time to the Emmy award-winning show “Maryland Newsline,” named best student produced daily newscast by SPJ.

“Erin is among the best to leave the Merrill College of Journalism. That can be credited to a number of things: Erin’s dedication to learning her craft, volunteer hours spent working in the UMTV newsroom, devotion to her class work and time spent in a number of internships and entry level jobs,” said chapter faculty adviser Sue Kopen Katcef. “Her leadership speaks volumes. And, it is that leadership that helps to show the way for other students.”

Fillah, who currently works as a library services representative for Discovery’s digital cable channels in Washington, D.C., also won a Telly Award in May for her documentary, “Trolley Tales,” about the history of trolleys as a mode of transportation in the Washington area. The national competition recognizes outstanding work in the field of film, video production and non-network and cable television programming.

Fillah is a member of the Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

The Galvan award, which honors a San Jose State University student who died in a 1996 auto accident, is based on character, scholarship, proficiency in practical journalism and significant contributions to SPJ.

Mary Louise Schumacher, a 1999 graduate of the College, was the second recipient of the award. She is now a reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Alanna Turner, a 2002 graduate of the College, won last year. She has served as a teaching assistant and senior news producer for “Maryland Newsline.”

For more information contact: Associate Dean Chris Callahan, 301-405-2432