The CSPA Gold Key Award

The Gold Key has its roots in history. The crown on its top is the symbol of King’s College, which was formally established by British Royal Charter on October 31, 1754. It was the first such institution in the province of New York and the fifth in the American Colonies. After the Revolutionary War, the name King’s College was changed to Columbia College. The Trustees authorized the change to the institution's present name of Columbia University in the City of New York in 1896.

Bearing a replica of the seal of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Gold Key includes the date of the CSPA’s founding, 1925. Inside the frame is a reproduction of the façade of Low Memorial Library, the central architectural feature of the University's Morningside Heights campus and a New York City landmark. The CSPA seal was executed by James Kip Finch, professor (and later dean) of engineering at Columbia.

CSPA's founding director, Joseph M. Murphy, started the tradition in 1929. Beginning in 1930, Gold Keys were presented during the concluding ceremonies of the Association's annual convention.

Different procedures were used to select those honored with the Gold Key during CSPA history. Prior to 1955, an advisory committee most often would consider nominees recommended by past Key recipients. 

Many faculty adviser nominees were considered due to an extensive record of CSPA honors earned by the student publications they advised. From 1955 until 1979, Joseph M. Murphy made the annual selections in consultation with officers of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association (CSPAA). 

Selections in 1980 and 1981 were made by then-director Charles R. O'Malley. From 1982 until 1991, selections were made by a committee convened by CSPA Director Edmund J. Sullivan, using nominees suggested by either past Key recipients or directors of state scholastic press associations. 

Beginning with the 1992 selections, Sullivan asked the CSPAA to create a permanent Committee on Honors and Awards, chaired by its immediate past president, to make the selections based on nominations from scholastic, collegiate, and professional sources, including past recipients.

Criteria for Key Nominations   
As amended on March 14, 2007.

With the Gold Key, CSPA recognizes educators and members of the professional press primarily for their service to the Association. Through their contributions to CSPA, Gold Key recipients have demonstrated their support for excellence in teaching journalism and in student press advising. Note: Self-nomination is prohibited.

Gold Key recipients meet all or some of the following criteria, in descending order of priority:

With the Gold Key, CSPA recognizes educators and members of the professional press primarily for their service to the Association. Through their contributions to CSPA, Gold Key recipients have demonstrated their support for excellence in teaching journalism and in student press advising.

Gold Key recipients meet all or some of the following criteria, in descending order of priority:

1. Honorable service to the Association and to the education of student journalists
   1. Significant numbers of students in the journalism program or student publications program
   2. Involvement in the CSPA as a speaker, as a judge or as the author of articles, books or monographs the Association has produced
   3. Active membership in state or regional student press association(s)
   4. Recommendation by school administrators, other school personnel, media professionals or former students active in professional journalism.
2. Outstanding contributions and achievements in student journalism
   1. Speaking or teaching at journalism workshops
   2. Evaluation of publications in national, state or regional contests
   3. Authorship of books, or of articles in national and state education or journalism publications
   4. Leadership in a national, state or regional journalism/adviser organization
   5. Receipt of award(s) for achievement in education
3. Members of the professional press should meet the following criteria:
   1. Participation in educational conferences, seminars, workshops and conventions as a speaker or a teacher
   2. Financial and technical support of student publications
   3. Coordination of mentorship programs and internships for student journalists and service as a professional adviser when called upon to do so.
4. Individuals who are neither educators nor journalists but who have contributed significantly to the aims and goals of the Association are also eligible for the Gold Key.

Note: Under most circumstances, should be a professional member of CSPAA for a minimum of five years.

Nomination Information   
Once a nomination has been submitted, CSPA will contact the nominee and ask that a current resume along with a personal statement be forwarded to the committee. The nominee will be asked to provide the names of two references with phone numbers and email addresses. Of the two required supporting references, only one may be from a coworker.

See also:    
CSPA Gold Key Award past recipients by name   
CSPA Gold Key Award past recipients by year