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Photos: Glenn Osmundson

RI Press Association honors journalists for 2022 work 

WARWICK – The Rhode Island Press Association on Friday presented 153 awards to journalists throughout the state for writing, design and photography in its editorial contest for 2022. 

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The association also inducted two new members into its Journalism Hall of Fame: Karen Bordeleau, former executive editor of The Providence Journal; and Timothy Cotter, former executive editor of the Day of New London, Conn. 

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During the annual banquet, held at Chelo's on the Waterfront for the first time, the association elected officers for next year: Elyse Major of Providence Media and Ethan Shorey of The Valley Breeze will remain co-presidents; Carlos Munoz of The Boston Globe Rhode Island replaces Michael McDermott as vice president; Sarah Francis, formerly of Rhode Island Monthly, will remain treasurer; and Will Richmond of The Providence Journal and The Newport Daily News replaces Linda Lotridge Levin as secretary. 

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The association also presented a $1,000 scholarship to Rhode Island College student Olivia Barone, a Scituate resident.

 

Shorey and Major spoke of the association's initiatives, including organizing a second straight R.I. High School Journalism Day on May 19, when nearly 30 schools, a record, are expected to participate.

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The award winners are: 

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DESIGN 

 

Best Cover 

  1. Abigail Brown, Hey Rhody, The Annual Summer Guide 

  2. Joan Wong, Rhode Island Monthly, South County Scandal 

  3. Brendan Totten, Rhode Island Monthly, Breaking Point

    (Hon.) Nick DelGiudice, Hey Rhody, The State of Black Owned Businesses 

 

Best Feature Front Page 

  1. Joan Wong, Rhode Island Monthly, South County Scandal

  2. Abigail Brown, SO Rhode Island, Live Like an Islander

  3. Angel Tucker and Doreen Chisnell, Rhode Island Monthly, Bon Apetite! 

 

Best Newspaper Front Page 

  1. Staff, Providence Business News, Eyes on the prize 

  2. Paul J. Spetrini, The Independent, Move it or lose it

  3. Staff, Providence Business News, Battle lanes

    (Hon.) Diocese of Providence celebrates 150 years, Laura Kilgus, Rhode Island Catholic 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY  

 

Feature Photo 

  1. Kris Craig, The Providence Journal, I heart hair 

  2. Glenn Osmundson, Jewish Rhode Island, Sounding the shofar

  3. Corey Favino, Rhode Island Monthly, Your guide to summer adventure

    (Hon.) David L. Ryan, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, A cobbler’s work

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 Food Photo 

  1. Angel Tucker, Rhode Island Monthly, Portuguese clams

  2. Nick DelGiudice, SO Rhode Island, Savor the season

  3. Laura Paton, Narragansett Times, Calamari fest was hopping 

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General News Photo 

  1. Kris Craig, The Providence Journal, Good loser 

  2. Craig F. Walker, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, A cry for justice

  3. David DelPoio, The Providence Journal, Olivia Passaretti

    (Hon.) Charles Lawrence, The Valley Breeze, Pastors leading Ukraine relief effort  

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Personality Photo/Portrait 

  1. David DelPoio, The Providence Journal, Losing his home over an unpaid water bill 

  2. Nick DelGiudice, Providence Monthly, Laura Tempest, Zakroff Loren May, and Tracey Lawrence 

  3. Wolf Matthewson, Rhode Island Monthly, Ted Powers and Sugar at Blackbird Farm

    (Hon.) Tim Martin, The Westerly Sun, Stonington vs. Westerly youth football  

 

Photo Series/Picture Story 

  1. Angel Tucker and Jamie Millmather, Rhode Island Monthly, Peri power 

  2. Nick DelGiudice, Providence Media, Where are the clams? 

  3. The vacant vault, Matthew Healey, The Boston Globe Rhode Island 

 

Sports Photo 

  1. Paul J. Spetrini, The Independent, Comeback kids 

  2. Glenn Osmundson, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Perfect swing 

  3. David DelPoio, The Providence Journal, Just needs some air 

 

Spot News Photo 

  1. Michael Derr, The Independent, House 

  2. Ernest A. Brown, Woonsocket Call, Coping with the cold 

  3. Tim Martin, The Westerly Sun, Blaze destroys seaport marina 

 

Weather and Climate Photo 

  1. Wolf Matthewson, Rhode Island Monthly, Snowy owl at Sachuest 

  2. John Howell, Warwick Beacon, Digging out from the blizzard  

  3. #OceanHour Week, David Hansen, Newport This Week  

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WRITING  

 

Business Story 

  1. Brian Amaral, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, A tangled web in Tidewater Landing deal

  2. Marc Larocque, Providence Business News, A rank and file revival 

  3. Laura Colantonio, The Valley Breeze, Not dead yet

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Arts/Entertainment Story 

  1. Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, Gilded Age 

  2. Staff, Rhode Island Monthly, Casting a spell on little Rhody 

  3. Bill Seymour, South County Life, The man behind the curtain

    (Hon.) Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Photographer focuses on the familiar

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 Arts/Niche Columnist 

  1. John Pantalone, Newport This Week 

  2. Dana Laverty, Rhode Island Monthly

  3. Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal 

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Email Newsletter 

1. Jewish Rhode Island, Inside Jewish Rhode Island

2. Hey Rhody, Hey Rhody Newsletter 

3. Rhode Island Monthly, The Dish 

 

Community Journalism 

  1. Antonia Noori Farzan, Providence Journal, Exeter families 

  2. Jack Perry, Providence Journal, Elisha Project

  3. Robert Isenberg, Jewish Rhode Island, Mitzvah Matzos

    (Hon.) Bill Seymour, The Independent, Turn of the tide 

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Education Story 

  1. Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, North Kingstown teachers at ‘breaking point’

  2. Rick Snizek, Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop McVinney hoists American flag

  3. Edward Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, RI students ask US Supreme Court to hear civics case 

 

Feature Story (In-Depth) 

  1. Alexa Gagosz and Susan Kreiter, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Middle class family spiraled into homelessness

  2. Brian Amaral, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Is a famous shipwreck in Newport Harbor? 

  3. Tom Mooney, The Providence Journal, You can’t get there from here without Route 95

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Feature Story (Short) 

  1. Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly, What remains 

  2. Edward Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Miniature boat built by Central Falls students

  3. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Black Star Journal 

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Food/Dining Story 

  1. Jamie Coelho, Rhode Island Monthly, Unleash the yeast

  2. Karen Greco, SO Rhode Island, Women rule the kitchen

  3. Rachel Philipson, South County Life Magazine, Living the ‘cream

    (Hon.) Brian Amaral, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Where to get great Portuguese food 

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Government Reporting 

  1. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, Black radio station

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Can Governor McKee evict homeless people sleeping on State House grounds?

  3. Bella Pelletiere and Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze, Unopposed mayor removed from office

 

Headline Writing 

  1. Ethan Shorey, Jacquelyn Moorehead and Zack DeLuca, The Valley Breeze 

  2. Paul J. Spetrini, South County Life Magazine

  3. John Howell, Beacon Communications 

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History Journalism 

  1. Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, What happened to the HMS Gaspee 

  2. Philip Cozzolino, Newport This Week, A century of service for MLK Center

  3. Kayla Panu, The Valley Breeze, Rediscovering the past

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Investigative/Analytical News Story 

  1. Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Making prostitution legal in Rhode Island 

  2. Brian Amaral, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, A local treasure, gone

  3. Amy Russo, The Providence Journal, The Velasquezes

    (Hon.) Karen Greco, SO Rhode Island, Where are the clams? 

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Local Tourism Story 

  1. Alexa Gagosz, Carlos Munoz and Lylah Alphonse, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Block Island

  2. Laura Kilgus, Rhode Island Catholic, Welcome to St. Mary’s

  3. Ken Abrams, SO Rhode Island, Wickford past and present 

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Neighborhood Coverage 

  1. Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze, Fuel wars

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Pride flag won’t fly in Little Compton

  3. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, Parking bans 

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News/Features Columnist 

  1. Mark Patinkin, The Providence Journal

  2. Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe Rhode Island

  3. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island

    (Hon.) Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly 

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News Story (In-Depth) 

  1. Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Middle school boys thought their teacher was a creep 

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Private citizens taking housing crisis into their own hands 

  3. Nancy Lavin, Providence Business News, Battle lanes

    (Hon.) Marc Larocque, Providence Business News, To the rescue? 

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News Story (Short) 

  1. Tom Mooney, The Providence Journal, Wrongful imprisonment 

  2. Christopher Allen, Newport This Week, Grand jury indicts trio for fatal shooting 

  3. Rory Schuler, Johnston Sun Rise, What happened?

    (Hon.)  Jacquelyn Moorehead, The Valley Breeze, Built with initiative 

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Profile/Personality Story 

  1. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, Cherie Cruz

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Carolyn Rafaelian  

  3. Brian Amaral, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Ethel Rubinstein

    (Hon.) Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Community on his shoulders 

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Religion/Spirituality Story 

  1. Jack Perry, Providence Journal, Wiccan church 

  2. Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Congregation unsatisfied with apology

  3. Karen Greco, Providence Monthly, Call of the Wyrd

    (Hon.) Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, New bishop 

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Reporting on the Environment 

  1. Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, Race against time

  2. Alyssa Giacobbe, Rhode Island Monthly, Shellfish games

  3. Lauren Clem, Rhode Island Monthly, Prowling for owls

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Science/Health Care Story 

  1. Lauren Clem, Rhode Island Monthly, Taking a toll

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Situation inside R.I. nursing homes

  3. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, That’s not right

    (Hon.) Brown’s prescription, Jacquelyn Voghel, Providence Business News 

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Single-Topic Series 

  1. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Homelessness in Rhode Island

  2. Tom Mooney, The Providence Journal, Nicholas Alahverdian 

  3. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, Cardillo family 

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Sports Feature Story 

  1. Ged Carbone, Rhode Island Monthly, Belle of the ballgame 

  2. Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, R.I. state representative doubles as wrestling villain 

  3. Eric Rueb, The Providence Journal, Marquis Buchanan

    (Hon.) Scott Barrett, Newport Daily News, Julia Psaras

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Sports Story 

  1. Eric Rueb, The Providence Journal, Shaye Robinson 

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Providence College men’s basketball team 

  3. Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, The battle for the future of Triggs golf course

    (Hon.) William Geoghegan, The Independent, Count your blessings 

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Spot News Story 

  1. Carlos Munoz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, North Providence couple surrender 

  2. Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Providence police officer on leave 

  3. Ryan Blessing, The Westerly Sun, Man rescued after diving into river

    (Hon.) Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Man dead after standoff with police 

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Unique/Unexpected Story 

  1. Carlos Munoz, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, Tinder kickball team 

  2. Nancy Burns-Fusaro, The Westerly Sun, Lifeguard makes an unlikely rescue 

  3. Ellen Liberman, Rhode Island Monthly, Fierce finery 

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DISTINCTION

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Special Section 

  1. Rhode Island Monthly, Best of Rhode Island 2022 

  2. Pure Gold, SO Rhode Island

  3. Newcomer’s guide, Rhode Island Monthly

    (Hon.) Spirits, speakeasies and dive bars, Rhode Island Monthly 

 

Best Website 

  1. Boston Globe Rhode Island 

  2. Providence Business News

  3. Rhode Island Monthly 

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 Community Outreach 

  1. The Valley Breeze, Addressing food insecurity/engaging youth in journalism

  2. Rhode Island Monthly, Bannister Awards

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General Election Coverage 

  1. Providence Business News 

  2. The Valley Breeze

  3. The Boston Globe Rhode Island 

 

Photographer of the Year 

  1. Glenn Osmundson, Jewish Rhode Island 

  2. Kris Craig, The Providence Journal 

  3. Wolf Matthewson, Rhode Island Monthly

    (Hon.) Ernest A. Brown, Woonsocket Call 

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Notable New Reporter 

 

  1. Bella Pelletiere, The Valley Breeze

 

Distinguished Journalist 

 

1. Rory Schuler, Johnston Sun Rise 

2. Jamie Coelho, Rhode Island Monthly 

3. Nancy Lavin, Providence Business News 

(Hon.) Ethan Shorey, The Valley Breeze 

Next Meeting
The Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame

     The Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1985 by the Rhode Island Press Association to honor journalists who have been influential in their profession. The first members were inducted in the fall of 1986.

     The members of the Hall of Fame are chosen by a committee of the press association and approved by the board. Copies of the plaques awarded to inductees are displayed in the lobby of the Chafee building on the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston.

     The latest inductees to the Hall of Fame are Karen Bordeleau, executive editor of The Providence Journal, and Tim Cotter, executive editor of The Day. Both were inducted at the annual awards ceremony on April 28, 2023.

     To learn about the members of the Hall of Fame, please navigate the pages below. If you would like to nominate an individual to the Hall of Fame, please click here. 

Karen Bordeleau - Executive Editor - The Providence Journal

karen bordeleau head and shoulders -1 (1).jpg

     Three words perfectly define Karen Bordeleau: Energetic, talented, and fun. From her graduation from Northeastern University to her retirement as executive editor of the Providence Journal, there was a whole lot of journalism happening. A native of West Warwick, Rhode Island, Bordeleau began her career as editor of the Kent County Daily Times in her hometown, then moved on to the public relations department at the University of Rhode Island, where she also picked up a master’s degree in political science. She then headed to the Call, a daily newspaper in Woonsocket, where, as editor, she redesigned the paper, earning it the New England Press Association’s Better Newspaper Award.  

     In 1996 Bordeleau joined the news staff of the Providence Journal, where she rose through the ranks to become senior vice president and the first woman executive editor in the Journal’s 184-year history. Her enthusiasm energized Rhode Island’s largest news staff, and together they produced many prize-winning series, redesigned the newspaper to better serve women and other underrepresented groups, and launched the award-winning Publick Occurrences forums.

     Bordeleau is a past president of the New England First Amendment Coalition, the New England Associated Press News Executives Association and the New England Society of News Editors. She served twice as a Pulitzer Prize juror; she won the Judith Vance Weld Brown Spirit of Journalism Award, the highest honor given to a woman journalist in New England, and she was inducted into the Academy of New England Journalists. While she was at the Journal, she was an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island, Emerson College, and Northeastern University. She has taught journalism in Pakistan and Kenya, and she has served her profession as a member or facilitator of several dozen panels.

     In 2018 this New England journalist became the Edith Kinney Gaylord Visiting Professor in Journalism Ethics at the prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She was eventually named to the Cronkite Leadership Team and is now the director of Cronkite’s Career and Professional Development department. In addition to her remarkable professional résumé, this woman with a great sense of humor and a boatload of talent and energy raised two daughters, Lauren and Caroline, who are making extraordinary marks in their own professions.

Inducted into the R.I. Journalism Hall of Fame, April 2023

Bruce Burdett - Managing Editor - East Bay Newspapers

Tim Cotter - Executive Editor - The Day

Betty Cotter - Founding Managing Editor - The South County Independent

TIM COTTER (1).jpg

     When Timothy J. Cotter was graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a journalism degree in 1979, little did he know that his interest in sportswriting would lead him to finish his distinguished career 44 years later as executive editor of one of New England’s most honored daily newspapers. And along the way, he would firmly convince his staff members and readers that accurate storytelling is the key to success.

     Cotter’s fascination with newspapers started early – his father, a printer at the Providence Journal, brought two copies of Evening Bulletin home each night, one for himself and the other for Tim – and his mother instilled a reporter’s sense of curiosity – to the point that at age 12 he was convinced he wanted a career in newspapers.

     With degree in hand, Cotter started as a sportswriter with Wilson Publishing in Wakefield Rhode Island,  and shortly after became sports editor. It wasn’t long before his administrative and editing skills were apparent and he was appointed editor of the Narragansett Times, which won scores of awards in Rhode Island and New England weekly newspaper competition. During this

time, he became president of the Rhode Island Press Association and helped invigorate the century-old association with the establishment of the RIPA Hall of Fame in 1986.

     In 1989, Cotter joined the Day in New London, Connecticut, as a copy editor and quickly rose to positions of night city editor, assistant managing editor, and the paper’s first online editor, having designed and launched the company’s website.

     During his 10-year stint as managing editor, he was elected to the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame and the Day was selected as New England Newspaper of the Year eight times and won the Publick Occurrences Award six times in that same span. He also served on the boards of several professional journalism associations in New England and was an adjunct professor in the URI Journalism Department.

     Accolades from his co-workers followed Cotter as his career advanced toward becoming the Day’s executive editor – the title he held when he retired from the newspaper in April 2023. One reporter who went on to the Wall Street Journal described Cotter as “a steadfast and trusty editor, adding, “He is calm in a crisis, wry in the face of difficulty and able to channel energies of his reporters toward their best work. …”

     One of his former bosses described Cotter as “a guiding light in the newsroom” whose “true skill is managing and editing big projects.”  That same boss also credited Cotter for his “lifelong commitment to producing quality journalism and journalists,” and observed that he “has kept up the Day’s standards against overwhelming odds, and he has done it without drama or fanfare.”

                                                                                                                                   Inducted into the R.I. Journalism Hall of Fame, April 2023

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© 2023 by The Rhode Island Press Association.

Joe Baker - Reporter - Newport Daily News

Katherine Gregg - State House Reporter - The Providence Journal

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