Ross Todd Named Finalist in Religion Newswriters Association National Contest

Columbia, Mo. (June 17, 2004) -- Ross Todd, a Missouri School of Journalism graduate student, is a finalist in the Religion Newswriters Association 2004 Contests for excellence in religion reporting in the general circulation news media.

Ross Todd

Todd is one of 10 finalists for the Chandler Award for Student Reporter of the Year in Religion News contest. His entries, "Building a Holy House," "Living in the Presence of Swami" and "Soul Searching," were published in the Columbia Missourian, the city's morning paper, and Adélanté, a monthly bi-lingual Spanish newspaper. The Missourian serves as the working newspaper lab for students in news-editorial, design, information graphics and photojournalism.

"Ross brings his entire life experiences to bear on his reporting," said Tom Warhover, executive editor of the Missourian. "He has an innate sense of the drama in issues of faith and ethics, knows how to report, and is rapidly developing his writing skills. He's worked hard, and the honor is well deserved."

Tom Warhover Newspaper Journalism Chair

A native of Paducah, Ky., Todd is currently working in a paid position at the Missourian as an assistant city editor. The ACE positions are competitive and given only to some of the best journalists-in-the-making. Todd would like to report for a newspaper or an NPR-affiliate upon graduation.

RNA received a total of 278 entries in nine contests. The awards banquet will be held in Washington, D.C. in September.

RNA is the nation's only trade association for journalists who cover religion in the secular media and counts more than 240 full- and part-time religion reporters as members.