Kevin Kelley of Burlington, adjunct professor at Saint Michael's College, wins Donoghue award

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Kevin Kelley, left, wins Donoghue award. Shown with student winner Jordan Kilty & presenter Mike Donoghue.

COLCHESTER, VT (05/22/2012)(readMedia)-- Kevin Kelley, adjunct professor in the Saint Michael's College department of journalism, media studies and digital arts, was awarded the John D. Donoghue Award during the week, May 11 to 14, celebrating Saint Michael's College 105th commencement. The award is presented to the person who has "provided strong support, leadership and commitment to one of the college's student publications."

Mr. Kelley, who has taught at Saint Michael's for the past 20 years, and advised The Defender [the student newspaper] for the last two years, was presented the award by the son of John Donoghue, Free Press Reporter Mike Donoghue, who said Kelley is "famous for his red pen while marketing up copy; he believes in the power of words."

Mr. Donoghue quoted other members of their department:

"He is tough as a teacher and expects the best. Kevin, as longtime freelance journalist, brings real world experience to the classroom that students can relate to. Students respect that and rise to his high level of expectation."

"Here's a man who is passionate about the power of reporting, and about helping students to understand the role that the media plays in keeping leaders accountable to the people."

"He is a sharp editor and set high standards for his students. He also played a crucial support role for students learning to cover sensitive topics...and defending the student's right to report about important issues."

For the second year in a row, The Defender was named as one of the top five college newspapers in New England. "This is pretty impressive," Mr. Donoghue said, "when you consider that there are over 200 colleges and universities in New England and that some of the college newspapers produce daily editions."

The contest was sponsored by the New England Society of Newspaper Editors and was judged by some of the most respected editors in the business.

Learn What Matters at Saint Michael's College, The Edmundite Catholic liberal arts college, www.smcvt.edu . Saint Michael's provides education with a social conscience, producing graduates with the intellectual tools to lead successful, purposeful lives that will contribute to peace and justice in our world. Founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, Saint Michael's College is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top college towns. Identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nations Best 376 Colleges, and included in the 2012 Fiske Guide to Colleges, Saint Michael's has 1,900 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. Saint Michael's students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Pickering, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other grants. The college is one of the nation's top-100, Best Liberal Arts Colleges as listed in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

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