Wilbur Awards
 The Religion Communicators Council and its members promote excellence in communicating religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among faith groups on a national level. Testaments to our goal of excellence are the Wilbur Awards.
These awards recognize the work of individuals in secular media who communicate religious issues, values and themes with the utmost professionalism, fairness and honesty.
Sample: 2013 Wilbur Awards brochure (for work completed in 2012)
2013 Wilbur Awards
Awards Ceremony: April 6, 2013, Indianapolis, IN
 Coordinator and Producer of the Wilbur Awards
Shirley Struchen (left) is Executive Director of the Religion Communicators Council and Coordinator of the annual Wilbur Awards.
Andrew B. (Andy) Rawls (right) is the producer of the annual Wilbur Awards. The 2013 Wilbur Awards Program marks his 23rd year as producer.
Photo by Malinda Rawls.
 2013 Wilbur Awards Winners
2013 Wilbur Awards winners gather for a photo with the Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith (center) who served as emcee. Dr. Walker-Smith is a television personality, journalist, preacher and speaker, author, prison chaplain, church executive-minister-pastor, wife and mother. She serves as the Executive Director / Minister of The Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis, one of the oldest Council of Churches in the world founded in 1912.
Photo by Andy Rawls. Click on image for a larger version.
 G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Newspapers: National Market
The Christian Science Monitor, "No child left alone: Volunteers mentor children of inmates," G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 David Waters
Newspapers: Other Markets
The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, "Faith and fear: Muslims who cherish America's religious freedom find themselves at odds with patriot groups," David Waters
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Jaweed Kaleem
Magazines: Online Content
The Huffington Post, "Shalom Y'all: Why the South is looking for a few good Jews," Jaweed Kaleem
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 Richard Paul Evans
Books: Fiction
A Winter Dream, Richard Paul Evans, Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Jean Benedict Raffa
Books: Non-Fiction
Healing the Sacred Divide: Making Peace with Ourselves, Each Other, and the World, Jean Benedict Raffa, Larson Publications
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Michael J. Martin
Books: Youth
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Michael J. Martin, Morgan Reynolds Publishing
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Zachary Perlinski
Television & Cable News: 9 minutes or more
Oprah's Next Chapter: America's Hidden Culture Parts 1 & 2, Harpo Studios, Oprah Winfrey
Network, Tara Montgomery and Andrea Wishom, executive producers
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Bob Simon
Television & Cable News: 9 minutes or more
60 Minutes: The Archbishop of Dublin, CBS News, Jeff Fager, executive producer, Bob Simon, correspondent
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 Steve Hartman
Television & Cable News: 2 to 8 minutes
Pay It Forward, The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, Steve Hartman, correspondent, Miles Doran, producer, Heather Spinelli, editor
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 Patrick Fazio and Bob Bruce
Television & Cable Local News
Journey for Peace, WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN, Patrick Fazio, reporter and Bob Bruce, videographer
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 LizKineke
Television & Cable: Documentary
What They Believe: Hindus, Zoroastrians, Bahá’ís, John Blessington, executive producer, Elizabeth Kineke, writer and producer, Wendy Caplin, editor
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Zachary Perlinski
Television & Cable: Interview
Super Soul Sunday: Oprah and Elie Wiesel: Living with an Open Heart, Harpo Studios, Oprah Winfrey Network, Jill Barancik, executive producer
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Mary Hynes
Radio: Single Program
Tapestry: Through A Different Lens – Autism and the Divine, Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Mary Hynes, host, Carma Jolly, producer
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 Norris J. Chumley
Radio: Series
Rethinking Religion: The Harlem Renaissance – Music, Religion and the Politics of Race, Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life, Columbia University, Norris J. Chumley, host and executive producer
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Steve Taylor
Feature Films
Blue Like Jazz, Ruckus Films, Steve Taylor, director, Donald Miller, Ben Pearson and Steve Taylor, writers, Marshall Allman, executive producer
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Eric Marrapodi
Web-based Communications: Blogs
Belief Blog, CNN, December 31, 2012, Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, co-editors
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 John Blake
Online News Stories
Two Preaching Giants and the 'Betrayal' that Tore Them Apart, CNN.com, John Blake
The award was accepted via video.
Image from acceptance video.
 John P. "Jack" Blessington
Special Wilbur Award
John P. "Jack" Blessington, executive producer of CBS Religion and Culture series, has produced interfaith documentaries for over 30 years. His contribution to informing views and open dialogue about religion has stood out among his colleagues. RCC is proud to present a special Wilbur Award for his efforts.
Doug Cannon, President of the national Religion Communicators Council, presented the award.
Photo by George Conklin
Current Award Winners
2013 (for work completed in 2012)
Previous Award Winners
2012 (for work completed in 2011)
2011 (for work completed in 2010)
2010 (for work completed in 2009)
2009 (for work completed in 2008)
2008 (for work completed in 2007)
2007 (for work completed in 2006)
2006 (for work completed in 2005)
2005 (for work completed in 2004)
2004 (for work completed in 2003)
2003 (for work completed in 2002)
2002 (for work completed in 2001)
2001 (for work completed in 2000)
2000 (for work completed in 1999)
For more information about the Religion Communicators Council or to become a member, please contact:
Shirley Struchen
Phone: 212-870-2402
E-mail: sstruchen@rcn.com
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