Irwin selected as 2006 Communicator of Achievement

By Mary Pat Finn-Hoag - NPW COA Director

Stunned.
That was the look on Cheryl Alberts Irwin 's ashen face — and the first word she was finally able to utter after realizing she was the Nebraska Press Women's newest Communicator of Achievement recipient.
During the opening of the award ceremony, one by one, others in the room had already linked such hints as "committed," "dedicated," "Dawson County," "Gothenburg farm" and "IANR" to the Lincoln resident.
The COA recognition was the concluding highlight of the NPW fall conference Oct. 14 in North Platte.
The other past COA recipients at the banquet — Andrea Cranford, Judy Nelson and Lori Potter — participated in the ceremony that included a red, bandanna-print bulletin board, symbolic of the scarves Cheryl often wears.
As each previous COA pinned such items as a crystal star, miniature farm animals and a smiley face sun on the board, she described their ties to Cheryl.

The rural Gothenburg native credits a beginning journalism class Nelson taught, as well as her encouragement, in her decision to change majors at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln .
After earning her journalism degree, Cheryl was the county/ag news reporter at the Beatrice Daily Sun newspaper for several years. Since 1992, she has worked in communications at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL.

For the past five years, Cheryl has worked with Nelson on various projects in the publishing section of IANR. Cheryl's responsibilities include writing and editing the newsletters for UNL Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

In September, Cheryl was recognized as the first-place winner in the 2005 National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest with her UNL Extension newsletter entries.

Of Cheryl's work, the judge wrote the "overall layout and design of this newsletter is wonderful, It is attractive with interesting art. The story layout and content is engaging to the reader. (The) publication is very easy to navigate …"

Nelson describes Cheryl as "competent, conscientious, dependable and well-organized."
Since joining NPW and the National Federation of Press Women in 1987, Cheryl has consistently earned a number of NPW and NFPW awards. She has served NPW in various roles as a board member, convention host and officer.

A COA nominator wrote of Cheryl: "In the years I have known her, I have noticed that she displays a tremendous quality of professionalism in any task she takes on. Cheryl gives her very best and goes 'the extra mile' in helping NPW achieve its goals."

Cheryl's other hobbies and activities include gardening and serving as a a volunteer tutor for adults learning English as a second language.

She and her husband, Russ, also serve as a host family for foreign students at UNL. They annually invite these students who might otherwise have no place to go to Thanksgiving dinner, as well as these students' friends without any holiday plans, to their home.

Cheryl will represent NPW in the NFPW's 2007 COA competition. She and the other state COA recipients will be recognized at the 70th NFPW anniversary conference in Richmond, Va., next September.
COA nominations are judged on professional achievement (60 percent); community service (20 percent); and contributions to the state and national organizations (20 percent).

Dear Committee for Communicator of Achievement award,
One of the most surprising and yet humbling experiences in my life was when you bestowed upon me the honor of COA. It still is hard to believe!

I have had the good fortune to have been — and continue to be — influenced by many good and talented people throughout my life, including Nebraska Press Women. These individuals richly deserve credit for the honor, as well. I thank each, and hope that I can be as good an example for others as they have been to me.
The fact that this award was presented at a wonderful conference in my home territory made this honor even more meaningful for me and my family — and that really means a lot!

It is such an honor to look forward to representing you in Richmond , Va. next September.

Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Alberts Irwin