New Haven Register reporter Luther Turmelle received a national Society of Professional Journalists President’s Award at the organization’s annual awards banquet last weekend.
The award, which was presented to Turmelle by SPJ’s outgoing President Rebecca Baker, is given to individuals who make “outstanding contributions of talent, truth and energy of the highest level for the betterment of the profession, the Society and its members.”
Turmelle was responsible for having recruited Baker into the organization’s leadership ranks when he convinced her to join the SPJ Connecticut Professional Chapter Board in 2000 when the two worked together at the Register. He was one of five SPJ members from around the country to receive the award.
Turmelle has been a member of SPJ for nearly 30 years. During that time, he served on the organization’s national Board of Directors for 4 years as Region 1 director (2008-2012).
He also served on the board of directors of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of SPJ for a decade, including one term as president, years described as halcyon days of the organization.
