WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hillsdale College Senior Journalism Fellow Mollie Hemingway won the Dao Grand Prize from the National Journalism Center at Young America’s Foundation for her investigative reporting on the Russia collusion hoax. A current student at Hillsdale’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C. was named runner up, and two alumni were named finalists in their respective categories.
“Hillsdale journalists are living out the College’s mission to pursue truth and defend liberty,” said Matthew Spalding, vice president for Washington operations. “We are grateful to those who made this prestigious recognition possible.”
Hemingway and her team at The Federalist, where she serves as editor-in-chief, won the Dao Grand Prize of $100,000 for their series on the Russia Collusion Hoax.
Katelynn Richardson, a student in Hillsdale’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government, and her colleague Megan Brock at The Daily Caller News Foundation, won the first runner-up prize of $10,000 for their series on the “Biden Administration’s War on Parents.”
Tyler O’Neil ’12 at The Daily Signal was named a finalist for best “DOGE” reporting for his series titled “Your Money, Their Agenda: The Left’s Taxpayer-Funded War on Trump.”
Reagan Reese ’22 and her colleague Mary McCants at The Daily Caller were named finalists for best multimedia reporting for their print and video reporting on the “Abbey Gate Survivor.”
“Hillsdale teaches students to be not only great writers, but great thinkers and lovers of the truth,” said John J. Miller, director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College. “It is exciting to see what they accomplish.”
The Dao Prize, funded by the Dao Feng and Angela Foundation and launched in conjunction with the National Journalism Center, is an annual award founded to recognize excellence in investigative journalism. The National Journalism Center is a project of Young America’s Foundation.
Students in Hillsdale’s Dow Journalism Program gain hands-on experience working for The Collegian, Hillsdale’s student-run newspaper, and Radio Free Hillsdale, the College’s radio station. Hillsdale journalism students have won dozens of awards from College Broadcasters, Inc.; the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System; the Michigan Association of Broadcasters; the Michigan Press Association; and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Journalism students also complete internships at various media outlets, including some through the National Journalism Center. Alumni have gone on to careers at the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, ESPN, National Review, Politico, and many more.
Each semester, the College also hosts a professional journalist for a two-week residency through the Eugene C. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Fellowship in Journalism. Pulliam fellows teach a one-credit seminar course, consult with Collegian staff, and give a public lecture. Past fellows have included Miranda Devine, Andrew Klavan, and Kimberley Strassel.
For a complete list of Dao Prize finalists, click here. For a video from the awards ceremony, click here. For more information about the Dao Prize, click here.
For more information about Hillsdale’s Dow Journalism Program, click here. For photos of Hillsdale in D.C., click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here. For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.