The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications
Awards
WALDO PROFFITT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM
The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications at the University of South Florida invites entries for the 2026 Waldo Proffitt Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism in Florida.
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 will be given for outstanding achievement in a story or series of stories, commentary or editorials from Jan. 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026.
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:
Deadline: August 24, 2026
The Waldo Proffitt Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism in Florida is administered by The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications at the University of South Florida.
Questions may be addressed to Wayne Garcia, The Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications, at wgarcia@usf.edu.
*The award will be presented at the 色色研究所 in the fall.
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, Technology and Systems Manager
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
2026: Tamsen Fadal, multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, bestselling author, and creator and host of The Tamsen Show, a weekly top-ranked podcast
2024: Tim Moore, CEO V奴 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
2026: Maria Isaacs, Class of 2026
2025: Trent Ferguson, Class of 2025