Club Presents Vivian Awards to 28

Susan Heavey, a reporter with Reuters, received the National Press Club's top honor, the Berny Krug Award, for her volunteer efforts in 2010 at a ceremony Thursday night.

Last year, Heavey chaired the Club's Professional Development Committee. She spearheaded the group's signature event, the Journalism Survival Bootcamp in May.

The daylong session featured several panels of journalists and experts who provided insight into the evolving journalism field and advice to reporters and editors on staying competitive. Sessions focused on ways that journalists can become more technology-savvy, develop video and "backpack" coverage skills and establish online portfolios.

The event underscored the central role that career development plays in the Club's efforts to be the world's leading professional organization for journalists.

Heavey was one of 28 Club members honored on Thursday at a reception for the Vivian Awards. Named after past NPC President Vivian Vahlberg, the designation signifies outstanding volunteer service to the Club.

The 2010 Vivian Award winners were Peter Urban, Lolita Baldor, Greg Davis, Jack Williams, Richard Meyer, Tim Young, Noel St. John, Bea Snyder, Joe Motheral, Ed Hazelwood, Darlene Shields, Mark Schoeff Jr., Andrew Schneider, Louis Priebe, Valarie Jackson, Ken Mellgren, Ralph Malvik, Rod Kuckro, Peter Stepanek, Catherine Hayne, Jan Du Plain, Frederica Dunn, John Domen, Sylvia Smith, Andrea Snyder, Melissa Charbonneau and Barbra Bird.

-- Mark Schoeff Jr., [email protected]