The award, presented annually at The Lovejoy Convocation to a member of the news profession, was established in 1952.
- To honor and preserve the memory of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, America's first martyr to freedom of the press and a Colby College graduate (valedictorian, Class of 1826) who died bravely rather than forsake his editorial principles.
- To stimulate and honor the kind of achievement in the field of reporting, editing, and interpretive writing that continues the Lovejoy heritage of fearlessness and freedom.
- To promote a sense of mutual responsibility and cooperative effort between a news industry devoted to journalistic freedom and a liberal arts college dedicated to academic freedom.
The selection committee makes its choice of a recipient on the basis of:
- Integrity, without which no news organization can function in its traditional role as a public servant.
- Craftsmanship, without which no one can succeed as a journalist.
- Character, intelligence, and courage.
The recipient may be an editor, reporter, or publisher. It is important only that he or she be a newsman or newswoman, regardless of title, who, in the opinion of selection committee members, has contributed to the country's journalistic achievement.
- Nominations should be submitted by March 15 to:
- Stephen Collins, secretary, Lovejoy Selection Committee
- Colby College
- 4193 Mayflower Hill
- Waterville, Maine 04901
