The School of Media and Communications held its annual Journalism and PR Awards ceremony via Zoom last week. Among the highlights were the winners of the annual Goodman Scholarships and ’86 alum Phil Masturzo’s induction into the Journalism Hall of Fame.
As you probably know, The Terry Goodman Memorial Journalism Scholarships were endowed and the first awards presented in 2017. Sponsored by The BG News Alumni Society, the two annual awards — one for an incoming freshman, the other for a currently enrolled student — support BGSU students who work at The BG News. Goodman was a 1978 BGSU journalism graduate and BG News sports editor who became an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor in Northeast Ohio. He died of cancer in 1996. This year, for the first time, both scholarships are $1,000. We were graced by the Goodman family for the ceremony.
The incoming student scholarship went to Adriana DeFabio. Adriana intends to major in broadcast journalism. Captain of the Twinsburg cheerleading team, she credits that experience for building her confidence to work in front of the camera. She will complete a “senior experience” in journalism next month and is a member of Teen Ambassador Board where Ohio’s future leaders take an inside look at Ohio law and government, serving a one-year term and convening twice in Columbus. She received an honorable mention in the Perryman Freshman Writing Award competition.
The continuing student scholarship went to Jessi Oberski. Jess is a junior in the journalism program, minoring in scientific media production, from Attica, Ohio. This year, she is reporting for the BG News and is a member of the BGSU chapter of SPJ. She is currently interning for 13abc in Toledo, Ohio as an assistant producer.
The ceremony also included the induction of Masturzo into the Journalism Hall of Fame. Phil continues to hone his craft as a photojournalist, serving at the Akron Beacon Journal for nearly 28 years. While at BGSU, Phil visually documented everything from Ronald Reagan visiting campus to the 1985 football team’s historic run (culminating in a devastating California Bowl loss) to the hockey team’s 1984 national championship season to everyday campus life.
In addition to being a staff photographer and photo editor for the BG News, he was also editor of the 1986 Key yearbook which included a special section commemorating the university’s 75th anniversary.
His impeccable eye and attention to detail garnered him state, regional, and national awards and landed his work in publications all across the country including Sports Illustrated.
He also served as the personal photographer for boxer Riddick Bowe while he was heavyweight champion of the world.
Always looking to expand his skills, Phil has taken to not only writing food reviews and other feature stories but also a weekly wine column for the Beacon Journal.
Worth noting – Jim Gordon, the first person inducted into our Hall of Fame, was a long-time and beloved faculty member who built and strengthened our photojournalism program and a huge influence in Phil’s life. Phil was one of Gordon’s disciples and credits Gordon with helping him become the photojournalist he is today.