David Nyhan was a newspaperman in Boston for over 30 years. Beyond being a respected writer, he was a beloved man who connected with people from all walks of life. He was loved for his honesty, humor, fairness, kindness and strength.

David Nyhan helped to found the Center on Media and Society at UMass Boston shortly before his untimely death in January, 2005. To honor David Nyhan and his principles, the Center created an award for students at UMass Boston and UMass Amherst who are interested in going into journalism.

The award honors a student each year who displays the skills, tenacity, ethics and temperament to serve the public well as a journalist. It rewards character as well as talent; potential as well as performance to date. Students who win this award are expected to work ethically and energetically, with persistence but also with generosity to others.

The annual award consists of a cash prize and a certificate. The award is funded by voluntary donations. Students are selected by a committee appointed by the Center on Media and Society at UMass Boston. For 2005, the committee consisted of Ellen Hume, Mark Schlesinger, and Seth Effron.

2005 Award Winners: Gintautas Dumcius and Kristen DeOliveira

2006 Winner: Demetra Chornovas

The first award was given in the spring of 2005. A fundraising party at the UMass Club in downtown Boston in April 2005, spearheaded by Paul McDermott and David's son Nick Nyhan, helped to endow the award. Boston Globe photographer Bill Brett donated copies of his book, "Boston, All One Family" to each of these founding donors.

To make a donation:

Please make check payable to: "UMass Boston"
With "Nyhan Award" on the memo line
c/o Ellen Hume
UMass Boston Center on Media & Society
Wheatley 6-806
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393

To make a nomination:

Please contact Ellen Hume

617 287 6798