The Hosokawa Journalism Endowment
The Robert R. Hosokawa Endowment
In 2000, an endowed lectureship was established at Whitman College by David and Beverly Hosokawa, and the Hosokawa Family Foundation. Intended to be a celebration of journalistic excellence, the lectureship honors Robert R. Hosokawa, David’s father, by bringing a noted journalist to campus. The endowment also established the Hosokawa Prize to be awarded each year in recognition of outstanding achievement and excellence as demonstrated by student journalists and photojournalists of Whitman Wire.
2025 Hosokawa Journalism Lecture
The 2025 Hosokawa Journalism Lecture will take place in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
2025 Hosokawa Journalism Contest
Any content that is published in the Whitman Wire during the 2024 calendar year is eligible for for the 2025 Hosokawa Awards, with a $500 prize for the top submission in each category. The submission period will open in December 2024.
Submission Categories
- News: A journalistic article that provides timely, factual and objective reporting on current events or developments. Its purpose is to inform readers about what is happening locally, nationally or globally without offering personal opinions. Submissions must have been published in the Wire's News category.
- Feature: In-depth, narrative-driven articles that explore a topic, person or event in detail. They focus on storytelling, background context and human interest to engage readers and provide a deeper understanding beyond the immediate facts. Submissions may be from the Wire's Feature, Campus Life or Science & Environment categories.
- Opinion: Articles that express the views or perspectives of the writer or publication, aiming to persuade, provoke thought, or spark dialogue on an issue. These pieces are inherently subjective and are separate from the objective reporting of news. Submissions must have been published in the Wire's Opinion category.
- Humor: A journalistic piece that uses satire, wit, or comedic storytelling to entertain readers while often commenting on current events, cultural trends, or societal norms. Its purpose is to amuse while sometimes offering subtle critique or insights into the subject matter. Submissions must have been published in the Wire's Humor category.
- Photo: A visual image that captures a moment, event or subject to complement a news story or feature. It conveys information, emotion or context with authenticity and accuracy, adhering to ethical standards of photojournalism.
- Illustration: A crafted visual representation, such as a drawing or graphic, used to enhance or clarify a journalistic article. It is typically used for abstract concepts or to add creative emphasis while maintaining relevance to the story.
Judging/Awards
Each category of entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Whitman staff, faculty, alumni and professional journalists. Winners are announced and awards presented at the annual Hosokawa Awards Dinner.