Awards

WALDO PROFFITT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM

The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications administers the Waldo Proffitt Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism. 

The award recognizes distinguished examples of reporting and commentary about environmental issues in Florida. The Waldo Proffitt Award was established in 1998 by friends of Waldo Proffitt, a former editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The award is made possible by the Waldo Proffitt Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc.

The $1,000 award is given for outstanding achievement in a story or series of stories, commentary or editorials from Jan. 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025.

The rules:

1. Work must have been published/aired by a Florida news outlet: newspaper, TV news station, radio station or digital news site. Entries by an individual or team may include distinguished local reporting of breaking news, distinguished investigative reporting presented as a single story or series, distinguished explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject presented as a single story or series, distinguished commentary or editorial writing, or a combination of these forms.

2. Only one entry per news organization may be submitted each year, but the entry may have as many as five items.

3. Entries will be accepted as links. An explanatory letter not to exceed one page should accompany the entry. Each entry should have the entrant's name, address, phone number and the name of the news organization. Use this link to enter: Waldo Proffitt Entry Form

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Questions may be directed to Wendy Whitt, The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications, at wwhitt@usf.edu.

Recent Recipients

2025: Max Chesnes and Emily Mahoney, Tampa Bay Times

2024: Max Chesnes, Tampa Bay Times

2023: Zachary Sampson and Langston Taylor, Tampa Bay Times                                                   

DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE ZIMMERMAN SCHOOL

The Director's Award recognizes a faculty or staff member for their exceptional contributions to The Zimmerman School.

Recipients

2024: Steve Mutimer, (need Steve’s title)

2023: Wendy Whitt, Associate Director and Senior Instructor                                                          

THE ZIMMERMAN SCHOOL'S MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION VISIONARY AWARD

This award recognizes an individual whose visionary and entrepreneurial thinking has advanced innovation and creativity in media and communication and inspired next generation professionals. 

Recipients

2024: Tim Moore, CEO Vū Technologies                                                                                               

THE ZIMMERMAN RISING LEADER AWARD

The Rising Leader Award recognizes a student for demonstrating exceptional leadership and having a positive impact on The Zimmerman School community.

Recipients

2025: Trent Ferguson, Class of 2025