The Red & Black and former online editor Paul Ruddle won a national award for an article about a student found in violation of the University’s code of conduct for his comments on an anonymous evaluation.

The Betty Gage Holland Award is given annually to reporters who write stories adding to the public dialogue. Both Ruddle and The Red & Black were awarded $1,000.

Ruddle’s Oct. 22, 2007, article “truly encapsulates what the award is about,” Ed Morales, The Red & Black’s editorial adviser. It detailed an incident in which a handwriting expert was used to determine which student wrote derogatory comments about a professor on the end-of-course course evaluation.

Ruddle said he thinks his story started a conversation on campus for at least two reasons. First, he said, many found the comments on the evaluation inflammatory. Also, because the evaluations were supposed to be anonymous, Ruddle said, many students felt they shouldn’t be promised confidentiality if it may be violated.

This is the second consecutive year The Red & Black won the Betty Gage Holland Award. Reporter Todd South won for his

April 4, 2006, story that alerted the community to a sex offender who was enrolled in University classes.

- Kristen Coulter

Student chosen as Goldwater Scholar

University Honors student Vanessa del Valle was selected as a 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar.

The Goldwater Scholar is a prestigious national science award for sophomores and juniors who excel in mathematics, engineering and the natural sciences.

Del Valle, a junior biology and psychology double major from Alpharetta, was chosen among a pool of 1,035 candidates from across the United States who were nominated by their colleges and universities.

The one- and two-year scholarships provide funding for tuition, room and board and other educational expenses worth up to $7,500 per year.

Del Valle’s selection brings the total of University recipients to 33 since 1995. University students have been named Goldwater Scholars every year since 2001.

- University News Services