Distinguished Service Award
The Iowa Newspaper Association annually honors deserving individuals with two prestigious awards: the Master Editor-Publisher Award and the Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are presented to recipients during the association's annual convention in February.
Recipients were announced Friday, February 2 at the 2018 INA Convention and Trade Show.
Each year's honorees are selected by past recipients of the awards.
Distinguished Service Award recipients are long-time journalists honored for their contributions to the newspaper profession and to their communities. DSA recipients can be any member of the newspaper staff, including but not limited to advertising directors, circulation managers, back shop superintendents and press operators, as well as news and sports editors, publishers and business managers.
Criteria include:
1. The nominee must be an employee or former employee of an Iowa newspaper or associated with a university, college or newspaper association having close ties with Iowa newspapers;
2. The nominee shall have contributed greatly to his or her newspaper, and to his or her community and/or the newspaper industry in general;
3. Longevity should have little effect on the nominee's qualifications.
4. Individuals who have received the INA's Master Editor-Publisher award are not eligible to win the Distinguished Service Award. (Rule enacted in 2012)
Scott Spurgeon - Bloomfield Democrat
Scott Spurgeon has followed in the footsteps of a family business that has shaped the writer, editor and community advocate he is today.
Each week he upholds the quality and legacy of community journalism through his work with students and coverage of local events and sports. His skill as a journalist is regularly verified by placings in the INF Better Newspaper Contest and reader appreciation for his recognition of young people in the community.
Known as the guy with the camera, students have come to know and count on this individual’s involvement with athletic and extracurricular events throughout the year. Most recently he has been working on a community effort to add sports complexes for baseball and softball to grow the youth league offerings to residents.
He has been an active and passionate advocate for young people not just locally, but across Iowa. Serving as a member and chair of the INA all-state committee he has assisted in recognizing athletes across the state for their accomplishments in football, basketball and baseball.
He has served as a volunteer coach for Little League and Babe Ruth programs for many years in addition to organizing the regional and state tournaments each year as District Commissioner. He was also an important leader in helping the community pass a bond to allow for much needed work on the track and football field.
His passion for his community has resonated with readers – a testament to a journalists influence can come in many forms, not just written. Please join us in congratulating Scott Spurgeon with the Bloomfield Democrat.
Don Dauterive - Iowa Falls Times Citizen
Dedicated and willingness to help are two words that describe Don Dauterive. He is a tireless worker and believes wholeheartedly in the value of community journalism.
Don has been instrumental in growing a newspaper division from representing one state to more than 15 states, all without a background in the industry. He quickly earned the trust and respect from advertisers and editors from across the country drawing on experience from the retail industry more than 20 years ago. It didn’t take long for him to become fluent and knowledgeable on local and national newspapers, particularly in regards to marketing and advertising.
He played a significant role in combining print and digital operations over the years. He immersed himself in learning the web and staying up with new developments to help newspapers and advertisers maximize sales efforts without hindering print revenue.
He is a mentor, coach and manager focused on developing staff and ensuring they are equipped with the tools needed for their own success and that of the business. He has served on numerous boards in the community and with the Iowa Newspaper Association, creating lifelong friendships and connections.
After two decades of service with the Iowa Falls Time-Citizen, he is retiring and leaving a legacy hard to fill. Please join us in congratulating Don Dautrieve with the Iowa Falls Times-Citizen.
DSA recipients
2018
Scott Spurgeon, Bloomfield Democrat
Don Dauterive, Iowa Falls Times Citizen
2017
Michael Bugeja, Iowa State University
Deb Geisler, Jefferson
Doug Melvold, Maquoketa
Scott Sundstrom, Des Moines
2016
Bruce Binning, Denison
Vicky Decker, Seymour
Chris Mudge, Des Moines
2015
Michael Giudicessi, Des Moines
Larry Peterson, Creston
Rox Laird, Des Moines
2014
Bill Rediger, Dyersville Commercial
Connie Wagner, Sheldon N'West Iowa Review
Irene Wilcox, Madrid Register-News
2013
Stuart Clark, Tipton Conservative
Max Heath, NNA Postal Chair
Keith Luchtel, INA Lobbyist
Barbara Mack, Iowa State University (posthumous)
2012
Chuck Offenburger, Des Moines Register
Kathleen Richardson, Drake University
Norma Thurman, Stuart Herald
2011
Bill Monroe, Iowa Newspaper Association
2010
Jeff Grant, Sheldon
Alan Mores, Harlan
Jim Normandin, Dubuque
2009
Jay Luther, Iowa Falls Times-Citizen
Jo Martin, Iowa Falls Times-Citizen
Mary Reuter, DeWitt Observer
2008
Sharon Alban, Ogden Reporter
Bill Tubbs, Eldridge North Scott Press
Terry Wilson, Davenport Quad-City Times
Bill Wundram, Davenport Quad-City Times
2007
Bob Andersen, Elkader Clayton Co. Register
Wayne Davis, Seymour Herald
2006
Le Ann Larson, West Union Fayette Co. Union
Ron Schuety, Altoona Herald-Mitchellville Index
Randy Evans, Des Moines Register
2005
Mark Wicks, Charles City Press
Connie White, Creston News-Advertiser
Drake Mabry, Des Moines Register & Ames Tribune
Gary Alban, Ogden Reporter
2004
Amy Duncan, Indianola Record-Herald and Tribune
Don Magdefrau, Belle Plaine Union
Karen Young, Seymour Herald
Tom Yunt, Dubuque Telegraph Herald
2003
Edward "Mike" Lyon, Mapleton Press
Michael Gartner, Des Moines
Walt Stevens, Ft. Dodge Messenger
Bill Casey, Iowa City Daily Iowan
2002
Paul Gauthier, Corning Adams Co. Free-Press
Gil Cranberg, Des Moines Register
George Mills, Des Moines Register
Jay Wagner, Des Moines Business Record
2001
Jim Magdefrau, Blairstown So. Benton Star-Press
Jack Crook, Knoxville Journal-Express
Barbara Lyon, Mapleton Press
2000
Dave Storey, Cedar Rapids Gazette
LeAnn Pisarik, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Dr. Kenneth Starck, University of Iowa School of Journalism
1999
Gary Spurgeon, Bloomfield Democrat
James Flansburg, Des Moines Register
Tom Emmerson, Iowa State University
Jack Marlowe, Maquoketa Sentinel Press
1998
Marni Mellen, Fairfield Daily Ledger
Tom Johnson, Waukon Standard
Merle Kent Shawd, Woodward-NE Dallas Co. Record
Jay Mohr, Sibley-Osceola Co. Gazette Tribune (posthumous)
1997
Mark Bowden, Cedar Rapids Gazette
Harold Aardema, Doon Press
Margaret VanderWeerdt, Sully Diamond Trail News
Gene Bloom, Woodbine Twiner (posthumous)
1996
Mary Lou Hinrichsen, DeWitt Observer
Shirley Omer, Primghar O’Brien Co. Bell
Dave Paxton, Albia Newspaper
1995
Bill Mertens, Burlington Hawk Eye
Richard Goughnour, Mediapolis News
David Johnson, West Branch Times
Joe Roth, Hampton Newspapers
1994
Beth Dalbey, Adel Dallas County News
Brian Cooper, Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Ken Robinson, Bayard News-Gazette
Jerry Moriarity, Mason City Globe-Gazette
1993
Al Pinder, Grinnell Herald-Register
Larry Johnson, Ft. Dodge Messenger
Carolyn Cole Gage, Villisca Review
1992
Robert Woodward, Drake University
Phyllis Fleming, Cedar Rapids Gazette
William Zima, University of Iowa
1991
Dale Kueter, Cedar Rapids Gazette
Oline Stigers, Cedar Rapids Gazette
Ron Slechta, Tama News-Herald
Harrison "Skip” Weber, INA
1990
Genevieve Mauck Stoufer, Council Bluffs
Rick Morain, Jefferson Herald
Helen Zogg, Eldridge North Scott Press
Rosalie Johnson, Eldridge North Scott Press
1989
Herb Strentz, Drake University
Lois Jacobs, Marshalltown Times-Republican
Cal Olson, Sioux City Journal
David Kruidenier, Des Moines Register
1988
Hollis Nordyke, Ames Daily Tribune
Jackson Baty, University of Northern Iowa
L. Jay Smith, Fort Dodge Messenger
1987
Harold Bailey, Perry Chief
Bill Kunerth, Iowa State University
Frederick Simpson, Atlantic News-Telegraph
1986
John McCormally, Burlington Hawk Eye
Max Maxon, Webster City Freeman Journal
Harold Roberts, Creston News Advertiser
1985
Esther Williams, Vinton Cedar Valley Daily Times
J. Burl Tiedemann, Adel Dallas County News
Harry Mauck Jr., Council Bluffs Nonpareil
1984
Les Moeller, Iowa City
Donald Lundgren, Clinton Herald
Al Efner, Ottumwa Courier
1982
Frank Nye, Cedar Rapids Gazette
Matt Lawrence, Ottumwa Courier
Paul Norris, Marshalltown Times-Republican