34th Annual AJHA Convention
Oklahoma City | Oct. 8-10, 2015
Convention contacts Convention Coordinator Registration Coordinator David Vergobbi Convention sponsors
| Special Events
Local Journalist Reception | Scholars' Breakfast | Donna Allen Lunch | Gala Dinner Underwritten by the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication; included with registration Attendees enjoy a plated, table service lunch as AJHA honors the winners of the Sidney Kobre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism History and the National Award for Excellence in Teaching. AJHA's highest honor, the Kobre Award recognizes individuals with an exemplary record of sustained achievement in journalism history through teaching, research, professional activities, or other contributions to the field of journalism history. The annual AJHA Award for Excellence in Teaching honors a college or university teacher who excels at teaching in the areas of journalism and mass communication history, makes a positive impact on student learning, and offers an outstanding example for other educators. See the awards page for information on this year's recipients, Michael Sweeney and Tracy Lucht. Local Journalist Award Reception ♦ Thurs., Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. ♦ Venetian Room Sponsored by the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation; included with registration AJHA annually bestows its Outstanding Local Journalist Award for Substantial Contribution to the Public Interest to a journalist local to the convention city whose work has had a positive impact on the community. The recipient serves as a featured speaker at the Thursday evening reception. Reception attendees enjoy hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar at this event.  This year's honoree is Michael R. "Mick" Hinton, a 2003 inductee into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. He spent several decades at the Oklahoman, much of it covering statewide issues, then moved to the Tulsa World capitol bureau in 2005. Hinton was the last city editor at the Oklahoma City Times when it closed in 1964. He also worked for the Norman Transcript and the Lawton Morning Press. During his long career, he established a reputation for accurate, comprehensive reporting, covering subjects without regard for politics. He graduated with a bachelor’s from South Dakota State University and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. He has served as president of the Oklahoma City chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was active in Oklahoma City Gridiron, which gives scholarships to students pursuing journalism degrees.Scholars' Breakfast ♦ Fri., Oct. 9, 8 a.m. ♦ Continental Room Additional charge. (Tickets no longer available.) The annual Donna Allen Luncheon celebrates contributions of women to the field of journalism. American Journalism Historians Association invites a woman journalist local to the convention city as its honored guest and featured speaker for the luncheon. Attendees enjoy a plated, table service lunch at this event.
Additional charge. Limited spots available at the convention registration table (cash or check only) until 5 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 8). The closing event for the annual AJHA convention enables convention attendees to network and reminisce over the convention's activities in a social setting. Vast restaurant will host this year's gala dinner. Located on the 49th floor of the Devon Tower, adjacent to Myriad Botanical Gardens and overlooking much of Oklahoma City, Vast offers a menu that is locally sourced and inspired. Visit the restaurant's website. |
Recently selected as one of a handful of reporters to receive a prestigious Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism fellowship, 2015 luncheon speaker Jaclyn Cosgrove continues the tradition that Donna Allen envisioned for young female reporters. A member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Cosgrove writes about health, public policy, and medicine as health reporter for the Oklahoman. Her work often has insights into women’s lives, including a piece she recently wrote on the difficulty rural Oklahoma women have getting OB/GYN care. An Oklahoma State University graduate, Cosgrove grew up in Arpelar in southeast Oklahoma and particularly enjoys writing about health in rural communities.