Richard M. Clurman Award
The Richard M. Clurman Award honors superb on-the-job mentors who improve journalism by exemplifying excellence in nurturing, critiquing and inspiring young journalists. The award is named after the Chief of Correspondents of the Time-Life Service (1960–1969) and architect of the Livingston Awards.
The Award for 2012
This year’s winner, Stephen B. Shepard, considers himself a mentor first, journalist second, which—given his distinguished record as a writer and editor—may seem surprising. Shepard had a long career as an editor at Saturday Review, and then served as editor-in-chief of BusinessWeek. He is the founding dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York. Shepard’s mentorship while an editor was well known among those who worked for him, as well as his dedication to and support of his colleagues. Shepard considers his move to the world of academics a new and powerful way to support and direct aspiring young journalists. “As a result of this special learning environment we have created,” said Shepard, “we are turning out some terrific young journalists who are succeeding in a very tough job market.”
Stephen B. Shepard
"By example, by what he said and did every day, Steve inspired us to do more and be better journalists and better people. He brought out the best in us." Karen Kennar , CUNY Professor and former BusinessWeek reporter, on working with Stephen Shepard. "
“Early on in my career, he told me there would come a time when the joy of helping a younger journalist succeed would surpass the joy of doing a story myself. Like so many thoughts he shared with me, that prediction turned out to be quite correct. " Sarah Bartlett on working as a reporter under Stephen Shepard's editorship at BusinessWeek
The Richard M. Clurman Legacy
Richard M. Clurman
Behind everyone who achieves something very important, very early, is an older someone who critiques, applauds, knows the ropes and maybe pulls a string. Richard M. Clurman was such a man, whose career at Time included the posts of Chief of Correspondents and head of the Time-Life News Service. Clurman oversaw a staff of 105 reporters, including those stationed in 34 cities abroad.
Clurman helped Mollie Parnis Livingston establish the Livingston Awards and was a founding member of the Foundation's board. When he died in May 1996, the Board and its panel of judges quickly decided to memorialize him with a new prize. Equally easily, they decided that he should be remembered as a superb, on-the-job mentor.