Wednesday, May 14, 2003

CONTACT: Sallie Barker, (706) 583-8220, sbarker@uga.edu

UGA GRADY COLLEGE STUDENT RECEIVES
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM

ATHENS, Ga. – Keri Wiginton, a senior magazine major from Cairo, Ga., is the recipient of a National Press Photographer’s Foundation scholarship.

The nationally competitive Reid Blackburn Scholarship was established by The Columbian newspaper of Vancouver, Wash., and is named for a staff photographer, who was on assignment at Mount St. Helens when it erupted and took his life. Blackburn’s widow, Fay, works for The Columbian and is one of three who selected Wiginton for this award.

"You seem to take chances yet still share the ultimate goal of Reid's which was to tell a story by even just one photograph. I think you are gifted young woman and hope you succeed," Blackburn told Wiginton. "You have received one of the NPPF’s larger dollar amount scholarships and the one that really mirrors the choice of a true photojournalist, from those who knew Reid best."

Jim Virga, who teaches photojournalism at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, said, "Keri Wiginton is one of the best visual storytellers I have met at UGA. This national scholarship is a very high honor for her, and she more than deserves it."

The NPPF was founded in 1976 to improve and facilitate the administration of press photography, to promote the study of press photography and research therein, and to continue the education of press photographers by publishing and distributing addresses, reports and other literary works on press photography subjects. NPPF scholarship awards are given to encourage those who have talent and dedication to photojournalism and who need financial help to continue their studies.

"There is no doubt in my mind that within a few years the world of photojournalism is going to become familiar with the name Keri Wiginton, and I am proud to have been one of her professors," Virga said.

Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication provides seven undergraduate majors: advertising, broadcast news, magazines, newspapers, public relations, publication management and telecommunication arts. In addition, the college offers three graduate degrees and is home to the Peabody Awards, one of the premier award programs in broadcasting and electronic media.

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