Two COM journalists awarded Nachman prize

Seniors Jazmyn Gray and Lily Kepner were awarded Thursday with the Jerome A. Nachman Writing Award, presented for the quality of their writing as COM journalism students by the College of Communication.

Each award comes with a $5000 prize to help recipients “follow their passion and strive to become better writers,” as described at its founding in 2005. It was named in honor of Jerome Nachman, a former editor in chief of the New York Post and recipient of the George Foster Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards.

“I’m thrilled for these two outstanding emerging journalists, who each earned this honor through their achievements and hard work here at Boston University,” says Brian McGrory, chair of COM’s department of journalism. “I hope the Nachman Award helps launch the early careers of these promising writers.”

Gray, of Elk River, Minn., is graduating with a BS in both journalism and public relations. While at COM, she covered the city of Newton for The Boston Globe, interned with NBC News, and wrote for the Berkshire Eagle through COM’s Statehouse Program. She also is a recipient of BU’s Scarlet Key award. After graduation, Gray will work for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting in Washington.

Kepner, of Wilton, Conn., is graduating with a BS in journalism and a minor in women and gender studies. At COM, she reported for the Daily Free Press and WTBU News and worked with BU Spark! She also founded and hosted a show on WTBU and is a recipient of a COM Blue Chip award, the college’s highest undergraduate student honor. After graduation, Wilton will pursue education reporting in the Pacific Northwest.