Adam R. Kelly Award and list of honorees

The Adam R. Kelly Award is the most prestigious award presented by the West Virginia Press Association.

The award was established in 1991 in memory of the late Adam R. Kelly, legendary “Country Editor” columnist and former owner and editor of the Tyler Star News in Sistersville. Kelly was known nationally for his outstanding service to newspapers.

A committee of past presidents of the Press Association selects the honoree from nominations made by journalists or other persons. Announcement of each year’s winner is made during the awards ceremony at the annual WVPA Convention.

Nominations are submitted each year to:

Betsy Miles
West Virginia Press Association Executive Director

[email protected]

304-951-2474

Or

WV Press Association
3422 Pennsylvania Ave.
Charleston, WV 25302

Included in the submission should be a biography of the nominee, with specific emphasis on his or her service to the newspapers of the state, the West Virginia Press Association and to his or her local community.  

Announcement of the recipient is made during the Convention or Hall of Fame Celebration. 

The 2022 Adam R. Kelly Award recipient is Jim Spanner of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

1991
Phil Fourney
Ravenswood
1992
Jack Maurice
Charleston
1993
Charles K. Connor, Jr.
Beckley
1994
Bob Earle
Weston
1995
Jane Price Sharp
Marlinton
1996
James M. Myer
Wheeling
1997
Linda Benson
Kingwood
1998
Cecil B. Highland, Jr.
Clarksburg
1999
Edward Chadwick
Huntington
2000
Warren Buzzerd
Berkeley Springs
2001
Fran Hollendonner
Parkersburg
2002
Robert DeFrancis
Wheeling
2003
Jim McGoldrick
St. Marys
2004
Tom George
Wayne
2005
Tom Colley
Bluefield
2006
John Veasey
Fairmont
2007
William F. Fouch
Petersburg
2008
Phoebe F. Heishman
Moorefield
2009
Nanya Friend
Charleston
2010
Ogden Nutting
Wheeling
2011
George Wallace
Wellsburg
2012
Frank Wood
Beckley
2013
Ed Given
Sutton
2014
David Hedges
Spencer
2015
Andy Kniceley
Clarksburg
2016
David Corcoran
Glenville
2017
Ed Dawson
Huntington
2018
Perry Nardo
Wheeling
2019
Sandy Buzzerd
Berkeley Springs
2020John BoltWest Virginia University
2021Randy MooneyBluefield Daily Telegraph
2022Jim SpannerParkersburg News & Sentinel
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029

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