Distinguished Service Award

Published: Sunday, September 20, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 18:04

Each year JACC presents a Distinguished Service to Journalism Education Award to someone outside of the organization who has contributed significantly to community college journalism education and the organization. Annual scholarships are awarded in the name of the honoree.

Look below for more information about each honoree.

2010 - William Johnson, Chabot College (deceased)

2009 -- Kim Komenich, San Jose State University

2008 - Jolene Combs, JACC retired

2007 -- Assemblyman Leland Yee, State Assembly

2006 -- John Carroll, former editor LA Times

2005 -- Dr. Cristina L. Azocar, San Francisco State

2004 -- Joe Wirt, Calif. Newspaper Publishers Assn.

2003 -- Don Ray, investigative journalist

2002 -- Charles Donaldson, Santa Monica College

2001 -- Art Carey, San Jose City College

2000 -- George Flynn, CSU Fresno

1999 -- Mark Larson, Humboldt University

1998 -- Mike and Susan Cornner, Pierce and Canyons

1997 -- Wil Sims, Modesto College

1996 -- Wayne Overbeck, CSU Fullerton

1995 -- Jerry Ceppos, San Jose Mercury

PERMANENT SCHOLARSHIPS(see separate bios)

Warren Mack

Art Margosian

Here is some information about each of these distinguished friends of journalism education.

2008

JOLENE COMBS, El Camino College

Jolene Combs is one of the most respected and energetic faculty advisers In JACC history. She was a consummate worker in JACC and journalism education for more than 35 years formally "she undoubtedly will continue in retirement. Most of those were at El Camino College, but prior to that she had a distinguished high school teaching career. Her high school connections are still strong and she is co-founder of Newspapers2, a summer workshop for high school students and their advisers. She"s a former JACC faculty president and SoCal president. She"s represented community college journalism nationally as a president of the Community College Journalism Association and was one of the few community college teachers to ever sit on the national College Media Advisers board. She was recognized as California Newspaper Publishers Association"s Community College Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1989. in 2005 was inducted in CCJA"s Hall of Fame for outstanding community college teachers and she was awarded the National Scholastic Press Association"s Pioneer Award in 2006.

2007

ASSEMBLYMAN LELAND YEE, state assembly

Assemblyman Lee sponsored legislation that would protect students from censorship by college administrators The legislation became necessary as a result of a Hosty v. Carter decision that for the first time suggested that student press limitations approved by the Supreme Court in the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier decision might also apply to the college press. California became the first state to say, ""Not here." Shortly after other states followed California's lead.

2006

JOHN CARROLL, LA Times

John Carroll is the former editor of the Los Angeles Times. While editor the Times was instrumental in introducing and building edcuational relationships and programs, including with JACC. However, shortly aftr Carroll was replaced as editor the Times and its parent Tribune Company announced a number of budget cuts, including a major cutback in student education programs. By the time he was honored by JACC Carroll was no longer at the Times and was unable to personally attend the JACC convention.

2005

DR. CRISTINA L. AZOCAR, San Francisco State University

Dr. Cristina L. Azocar is the director of the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism (CIIJ) and an adjunct assistant professor of journalism at San Francisco State University. Already a regular workshop speaker at JACC conferences for years, Dr. Azocar offered San Francisco State as a host for NorCal conferences for a number of years.

2004

JOE WIRT, Calif. Newspaper Publishers Assn.

CNPA"s Director of Affiliate Relations Joe Wirt is industry"s point-man in managing outreach to California"s college and high school newspapers, including planning of regional journalism training conferences on college campuses. He secures presenters from all newspaper areas (business, advertising, editorial, media law, circulation, production) to speak to student journalists and advisers and coordinates events with college advisers and staff. "

2003

Don Ray, investigative journalistDon Ray was multi-media when multi-media wasn't cool. Among other ventures, he has been a film maker, television investigative reporter, newspaper editor, book author and private investigator. He was first to break the story, beginning well over a decade ago, of the initial investigation into pop star Michael Jackson's friendships with pre-adolescent boys. Don Ray continues to be a popular guest lecturer for news organizations and journalism associations. Don packs the room with every workshop he gives for JACC. He also served as emcee at JACC"s first fund-raising event on the Queen Mary.