DIANA DAWSON [email protected]

EXPERIENCE

• University of School of Journalism lecturer teaching feature writing and beginning news writing, 1996 to present. Serves as course co-coordinator for all five to eight sections of news writing and has coordinated the 16-page tabloid published by journalism students. Co-author of “News Writing by The Texas Quartet” (Kendall Hunt, summer 2009). Created and teaches honors course for Senior Fellows, “Communicating the Human Side of Gentrification.” • Editor of ConstructionWebLinks.com, an Internet portal for the construction, engineering, architecture and project industries, June 2009 to present. • Freelance copy editor for International Legal Technology Association, June 2009 to present. • Frequent freelance contributor to the and the Chicago Tribune. Family Travel Columnist for the Los Angeles Times, November 2006 to January 2007.(filled in for columnist on leave) • Freelance researcher for New York Times bestselling author David Bach’s book “Fight For Your Money” (Broadway Books, 2009) • Writing coach for The Austin Student, a weekly newspaper written by and for college students, summer 2005. • Wrote a weekly, nationally syndicated family television column published in more than 80 newspapers for 10 years, 1996 to 2006. • Writing consultant for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern , 2001-2004 and for the international corporation, Tenaris, 2007-2008. • Essay published in “Pearls of Wisdom from Grandma” (HarperCollins, 1997). • Freelanced for “Good Housekeeping”, “Austin Monthly”, "Entertainment @ Home", "Better Viewing", " Family" and "Produce Merchandising", 1995 to present. • Freelance writing coach and writer, Redlands, California September 1994 to February 1996.

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, Spokane, Washington January 1988 to September 1994 Social services writer covering major stories on social issues, the biggest breaking news and investigative projects.

THE KANSAS CITY STAR, Kansas City, Missouri October 1982 to October 1987 Special assignment writer covering major regional news, Sunday centerpieces and investigative projects.

THE MEMPHIS PRESS-SCIMITAR, Memphis, Tennessee June 1981 to October 1982 General assignment reporter with experience covering police, city and federal courts, education, health and government.

THE EXAMINER, Independence, Missouri June 1980 to June 1981 General assignment reporter with experience covering business, City Hall and Legislature.

EDUCATION

University of Missouri School of Journalism Bachelor’s of Journalism, May 1980

JOURNALISM AWARDS

ERNIE PYLE AWARD FINALIST 1992 for human interest reporting  PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST 1993 for spot news coverage team effort (principal rewrite during standoff between federal agents and white supremacist)  NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP FINALIST 1991 for study at Harvard University  NATIONAL HEADLINER AWARDS 1989 third place, outstanding news reporting  LIVINGSTON AWARD FINALIST 1989 and 1992 named among top young journalists in the nation  CHILDREN'S EXPRESS NATIONAL AWARD 1989 (first place) and 1990 (third place)  DELTA SOCIETY NATIONAL AWARD 1990 for reporting on humans and their pets  C.B. BLETHEN MEMORIAL AWARD 1989 second place for investigative reporting in Northwest  PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS (SPJ) 1994: third place, comprehensive coverage (team award) 1992: first place, spot news (team effort); honorable mention, health reporting 1989: first place, education writing  UTAH-IDAHO-SPOKANE ASSOCIATED PRESS AWARDS 1994: The William H. Cowles III Memorial Award for Feature Writing  INLAND NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS (SPJ) 1994: first place, spot news reporting (team award); second places, news features and criminal justice reporting; 1993: first place, personalities writing; 1992: first place, science and health reporting; second place, special sections; 1991: first places, education reporting and minority affairs coverage; second place, state government reporting; 1990: first place, state government reporting, second place, minority affairs; third place, sports features; honorable mention, personalities writing; 1989: first places, investigative reporting and spot news  IDAHO PRESS CLUB AWARDS 1990 second place, spot news  WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION 1989 first place  MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION 1988: honorable mention, feature writing 1984: Public Service Award for investigation of state's mental health system 1983: second place, feature writing  AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION SILVER GAVEL AWARD 1987 team effort  NATIONAL COUNCIL OF FAMILY AND JUVENILE COURT JUDGES AWARD 1986 for investigation of foster care crisis  FRIEND OF THE GAY COMMUNITY AWARD 1986 for AIDS coverage in Kansas City  MISSOURI MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION AWARD 1984  BENJAMIN FINE NATIONAL AWARD FOR EDUCATION REPORTING 1983 for series on Kansas City public schools  AMERICAN PUBLIC PLANNERS' ASSOCIATION AWARD 1983 for team effort  Tennessee's UPI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE 1983  SCRIPPS HOWARD NATIONAL WRITER OF THE MONTH FINALIST in February and May 1982  SCRIPPS HOWARD NATIONAL REPORTER OF THE MONTH in December 1982  UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CHANCELLOR'S WRITING AWARD 1980.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Participated as a panelist at the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show because of expertise on reporting about travel scams, 2009. Presented session on "Managing the Long-Term Story Before It Manages You": Poynter National Writers' Workshops in 1994 and 1995 in Portland and 1996 in Albuquerque. Also presented at the Canadian Association of Journalists' 1995 national conference in Vancouver and the Associated Press 1997 regional meeting in Boise, Idaho.

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Founder and coordinator of annual writers’ conference for Baranoff Elementary School in Austin, Texas. Brings in screenwriters, poets, playwrights, novelists, journalists and songwriters to work with more than 450 students. • Volunteer with the Trinity Bridge Program that pairs families from St. David’s Episcopal Church with homeless families for weekend crafts, games, sports and meals. • Camping leader for Girl Scout Troop #653. • Creator and coordinator of a Parents of Teens Group to explore questions and offer support during the adolescent years, St. David’s Episcopal Church. • Organizes annual women’s retreat for St. David’s Episcopal Church.