Philip Merrill College of Journalism | University of Maryland

DeLuca Named Nation's Top Graduate

For immediate release, August 10, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md.— For the fifth year in a row, a graduate of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism has been named the nation’s top graduate by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Renée DeLuca, BA ’06, will be presented with the Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate award at the society’s national convention in September. This is the sixth time a Merrill College student has won the award since its inception in 1998.

The award, named in memory of a former president of the SPJ San Jose State University chapter who died in an auto accident in 1996, is based on character, scholarship, proficiency in practical journalism and significant contributions to SPJ.

“Renée is extraordinary in many ways, certainly not least I would list her great intelligence, her passion for journalism and her quiet, mature-beyond-her-years leadership style,” wrote Lee Thornton, professor and Richard Eaton Broadcast Chair at the Merrill College, in her nomination letter. “She has every skill and every instinct she needs to succeed in broadcast news. Moreover, she is a student with very high ethical standards.”

A member of SPJ since her freshman year, DeLuca served as her chapter’s fund-raising chairwoman for two years and then as president. She was the producer of an hour-long program examining the media coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which aired on the university’s cable television station.

DeLuca has held four internships at news outlets during her college career, including CBS 3 Eyewitness News and the Fox News Channel. She has built houses through Habitat for Humanity and worked as a research assistant for the Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families, a training and resource program for journalists who cover children and families.

“Renée is smart, discerning and attentive to detail. Because we have such confidence in her, she has had significant responsibilities in all aspects of our work,” wrote Patrice Pascual, interim director of CJC, in her nomination letter. “A remarkably accomplished student, I have watched Renée handle the demands of school, work and SPJ chapter leadership. She is mature and extremely well-organized. She is also delightfully warm and kind.”

Five previous recipients of the award also graduated from the College. Mary Louise Schumacher, a 1999 graduate, was the second recipient of the award. Alanna Turner was selected in 2002, Erin Fillah in 2003, Pat Grzanka in 2004 and Trish Hartman won the award in 2005.

For more information contact: Matthew C. Sheehan at 301.405.8320.