Press Club of Southeast Texas News

2025 Excellence in the Media Contest now accepting entries

Scott Eslinger — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:45:00 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas' 34th Annual Excellence in the Media Awards competition is now open and accepting entries.

It's time to go through your work from 2024, pick out the best and get busy entering it.

MORE | Call to Entry/Rules

This year the FIRM deadline is on April 6, 2024 at 11 p.m. There will be no extensions given.

Work published, aired or released between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, is eligible for entry.

Visit the contest page for more information.

2023 Newsmakers honored, Excellence in the Media Awards presented Saturday night

Scott Eslinger — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 18:00:00 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas celebrated the 2023 work of its member's on Saturday night, June 7, 2024, at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont.

The club also announced the 2023 Newsmaker of the Year on Saturday night.

The Excellence in the Media Awards celebrates the hard work of hundreds of communication professionals from Southeast Texas.

MORE | Learn more & see a full list of winners

It's time to enter the 2024 Excellence in the Media Contest!!

Scott Eslinger — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:12:10 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas' 33rd Annual Excellence in the Media Awards competition is now open and accepting entries.

It's time to go through your work from 2023, pick out the best and get busy entering it.

MORE | Call to Entry/Rules

This year the deadline is on March 17, 2024 at 11 p.m. and is firm. There will be no extensions given.

Work published, aired or released between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, is eligible for entry.

Visit the contest page for more information.

2023 Excellence in the Media Contest now accepting entries

Scott Eslinger — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 22:02:56 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas' 32nd Annual Excellence in the Media Awards competition is now open and accepting entries.

It's time to go through your work from 2022, pick out the best and get busy entering it.

MORE | Call to Entry/Rules

This year the deadline is on March 12m 2023 at 11 p.m. and is firm. There will be no extensions given.

Work published, aired or released between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, is eligible for entry.

Visit the contest page for more information.

FEBRUARY WORKSHOP: How to write a press release

Scott Eslinger — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:00:00 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas will be presenting a workshop on how to write a press release.

The workshop, on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Lamar University, is to be the first in a monthly series for 2023.

Press club president Andy Coughlan, who is director of Lamar University's Student Publications, will be leading the workshop.

The workshop will be held on February 27, 2023, on the Lamar campus in room 127 in the communication building from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The workshop is free and open to anyone. If part of your job at work or as part of a non-profit or other organization includes sending out press releases to the news media then this workshop is for you.

During the workshop you'll learn how to write a concise press release with all the appropriate information.

Coughlan will also talk about what to include when you email your release to the news media to help better the chances that your event or story will get covered.

You'll also hear pointers from Southeast Texas media professionals with more than 30 years of journalism experience.

Press club celebrates return to in-person awards dinner with 252 winners recognized

Scott Eslinger — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 14:42:19 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas celebrated its member's work and the newsmaker of the year in-person after two years of virtual events due to the pandemic.

This year's event, with a sold-out crowd of 200, was a far cry from the 2021 virtual event that was streamed from the offices of The Examiner. Less than four members were in the room last year.

This year the 2022 awards ceremony was held back in its usual home in the ballroom of the MCM Elegante hotel on Friday night, June 3.

The awards dinner was videotaped and we will post a copy here once it is ready.

MORE | Complete list of winners

Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton was announced as this year's Newsmaker of the Year.

The four other Newsmaker of the Year finalists honored throughout the evening included David Green, Jr., Georgine Guillory, Judith Smith and Jaime R. Taylor.

The winner was selected by popular vote among the club's members.

Hundreds of winners were collectively honored with 225 awards announced throughout Friday evening.

A total of 566 entries were received for this year's contest which featured 77 individual categories.

Seventy-four first-place trophies were awarded along with 64 second place, 54 third place and 33 honorable mention certificates.

A complete winner's list is available HERE.

252 awards announced during 30th Annual Excellence in the Media Awards

Scott Eslinger — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 02:18:01 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas held its 30th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year event virtually on Saturday night, October 24, 2021, from the offices of The Examiner in downtown Beaumont.

Hundreds of winners were collectively honored with 252 awards announced throughout the evening.

A total of 529 entries were received for this year's contest which featured 107 individual categories.

Ninety-four first-place trophies were awarded along with 73 second place, 63 third place and 32 honorable mention certificates.

A complete winner's list is available HERE.

Press Club finally, virtually celebrates excellence in the media for 2020

Scott Eslinger — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:38:50 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas held its 29th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year event virtually on Saturday night, November 14, 2020 in the living room of club president Kristi Dodd in Beaumont.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic only five club members physically attended the event but many more watched via webinar and on the club's Facebook page. The virtual event celebrated this year's Newsmaker of the Year and the hard work of hundreds of communication professionals from Southeast Texas.

Entries now being accepted in the 2018 Excellence in the Media contest

Scott Eslinger — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Entries are now being accepted for the the Twenty-seventh Annual Excellence in the Media Awards competition.

The contest is open to members and potential members of the Press Club—full-time and part-time journalists and public relations professionals in Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk and Tyler counties.

DEADLINE for ALL entries is Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.

Work published, aired or released between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, is eligible for entry.

Download the 2018 Excellence in the Media Awards Contest call to entry. (PDF)

Winners of the contest along with the 2018 Newsmaker of the Year will be announced Friday evening, June 8, 2018 during the 27th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Awards Banquet at the MCM Elegante’ Hotel in Beaumont.

All proceeds benefit the Lamar University Press Club Memorial Scholarship.

Bridgeman Leads Press Club of Southeast Texas in 2018 and 2019

Debbie Bridgeman — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 19:01:01 GMT

Bridgeman Leads Press Club of Southeast Texas in 2018 and 2019

Debbie Bridgeman of Beaumont has been elected the 2018-2019 president of the Press Club of Southeast Texas. Bridgeman has served since 2016 as community relations specialist for the Beaumont Independent School District.

Other Press Club officers are Marilyn Tennissen, freelance writer/photographer, vice president for finance and membership; Farrah Severs-Young, Total Home Health, secretary; Mike Tobias, Beaumont Enterprise, vice president for programs and special events; Sharon Brooks, The Examiner, vice president for public relations; and Brian Sattler, Lamar University, vice president for development.

Elected to two-year terms on the board of directors were Andy Coughlan, Lamar University; Scott Eslinger, KBMT-12News; Harold Mann, iHeart Media; Kristie Young, SNC Lavalin at ExxonMobil; and Greg Kerr, KFDM/KBTV.

Guiseppe Barranco of Beaumont Enterprise, Jim Love of iHeart Media, and Tom Taschinger of Beaumont Enterprise were named to unexpired one-year terms on the board. As immediate past president, Kevin Steele of KBMT-12News serves as an ex-officio board member. Completing board terms are David Ball, Port Arthur News; Natalie Tindall, Lamar University; and I.C. Murrell, Port Arthur News.

Bridgeman earned a bachelor of science in communications from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991. From February 2006 to December 2015, she served as the communications director for Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Texas.

From 2003 to 2005, Bridgeman served as the promotions/special events director and “Morning Blend” co-host at KOLE-News Radio FOX, known on the air as “Debbie Wylde”. From 2001 to 2003, Bridgeman was director of programming for Clear Channel Radio (now iHeart Media) in Beaumont. Concurrently, she served as program director for KKMY-Mix 104.5 and on-air mid-day personality for KIOC-Big Dog 106.

Before moving to Beaumont in 2001, Bridgeman held various positions at radio stations in Austin, Nacogdoches, Paducah, Ky., Columbia, Mo., and Huntington, W.V. She and her husband, Jason, have one son, Chase, who turns 13 in April.

Bridgeman has been active in the Press Club of Southeast Texas since 2004, elected as president in 2009. Currently, she serves on the communications division for the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, campus educational improvement committee (CEIC) at Odom Academy, and small group leader at Praise Church.

Throughout its 49-year history, the Press Club of Southeast Texas has united print and broadcast media with public relations professionals toward the common goal of excellence in communication. In addition to serving as a forum for issues, events, and ideas, the Press Club supports scholarships, community education and freedom of information.

Membership in the organization is open to journalists and public relations professionals in Jefferson, Hardin, Orange, Liberty, Chambers, Jasper, Tyler, Polk and Newton counties.

The Press Club Memorial scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding Lamar University communication students, supported primarily by proceeds from the club’s annual Newsmaker of the Year/Excellence in the Media banquet. The 2018 event is scheduled for June 8 at the MCM Elegante Hotel and Conference Center. For additional information, visit the Press Club website, pressclubofsoutheasttexas.org.

Press Club, LU to host communication mixer Oct. 12

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:00:39 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas and the Lamar University department of Communication will host a mixer for area media professionals and students, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 12. Admission is free

“We hope to get a good turnout from members of the local media,” Andy Coughlan, Press Club board member, said. “This is a great opportunity for students to meet professionals in their fields of study, and a chance for professionals to share their knowledge with the next generation.

“They may find their next employees or co-workers there.”

The event will feature refreshments and a chance to see the work on display in the gallery.

“Events like this are vital,” Natalie Tindall, Communication department chair, said. “Without extracurricular activities and events that connect students and faculty to industry, we wouldn’t be able to help out students achieve professional success in Southeast Texas and beyond.“

A brief gallery talk will be held at 7 p.m.

“Building relationships between Lamar’s students and the Press Club is vital to help students develop their skills,” Coughlan said. “We need to keep up with the next generation of media professionals.”

For more information, visit the Press Club or LU Communication Department Facebook pages.

Press Club contributes to scholarships for LU communication students

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:58:23 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas recently contributed an additional $15,000 to the Lamar University Foundation endowment that provides for the Press Club Memorial Scholarship at Lamar University.

The endowment, established in 2002, has grown to become the largest endowment for communication majors at LU. Scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding Lamar University communication students in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

The Press Club, incorporated in 1969, first established the scholarship in 1980 in memory of Jennie Love, a broadcast newswoman and active member who was serving as Press Club secretary at the time of her death. In the years since, the scholarship was renamed the Press Club Memorial Scholarship and the list of those honored by the award expanded to include other deceased members — all veteran area journalists and active Press Club members.

Today, the Press Club Memorial Scholarship honors deceased members including James Shannon, Bill Leger, Gordon Baxter, Harold Beeson, Joe Broughton, Lela Davis, Richard Dixon, Sharon Englade, Amelia Feathers, Jennie Love, Bill Maddox, Bill Maultsby, Earl Newlin, Ralph Ramos, Martha Reed, Jim Turner, Bob Wolcott, and Jim Wright.

Among its many activities to foster excellence, the Press Club hosts an annual Excellence in the Media contest, the Newsmaker of the Year Award, and monthly programs on newsworthy topics. The Press Club’s monthly luncheon program meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of each month.

“We are glad to be able to help support the studies of future communication professionals as they earn their degrees at Lamar University,” said Kevin Steele, president of the Press Club and a news anchor at KBMT Channel 12 in Beaumont. “The communication department selects outstanding students for the award each year.”

The Press Club of Southeast Texas draws its membership from Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Liberty, Chambers, Jasper, Tyler, Polk and Newton counties. Press Club members are professionals in media, public relations, academia, public affairs, corporate communication and public information. LU communication students are eligible for membership in the Press Club and can participate in the annual Excellence in the Media competition.

“We are happy to include student participation in the competition,” Steele said. “The success of many LU students in the annual competition shows not only their individual talents, but also the caliber of education they’re receiving at Lamar.”

The Press Club of Southeast Texas seeks to advance the art and science of media in the public interest; to encourage research, discussion, and study of the problems and techniques of the communications professional; to strengthen and maintain the highest standards of service and ethical conduct by all members of the profession; to exchange ideas and experiences and collect and disseminate information that may enhance or improve the professional knowledge, standards, ethics, and standing of the membership; to foster educational excellence among communication students; to provide a public forum for issues and ideas; to support the Public Information Act (Open Records/ Meetings Act) and encourage compliance; and to promote fellowship within the profession.

To learn more about the Press Club, visit pressclubofsoutheasttexas.org, or Press Club of Southeast Texas on Facebook.

2016 Excellence in the Media Awards winners announced

Scott Eslinger — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:15:49 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas announced the winners in the 2016 Excellence in the Media contest on Friday night, June 10.
Here's a complete list of winners.
Printable List (PDF)

The debate on the separation of church & state @ the Feb Press Club meeting

Scott Eslinger — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 23:16:28 GMT

Join Press Club of Southeast Texas on Thursday, February 18, for our regular monthly meeting.

Enjoy a great lunch and networking with other Press Club of Southeast Texas members.

Our topic of discussion will be Religion/State, and how our area has become a sort of ground zero for this debate.

Our guests are Pastor David Birdsong, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Port Neches, and Josh Hammers, a member of the Orange County Atheists.

Birdsong has been one of the supporters of the white cross movement, yet he’s been known to reach out to those who disagree and engage in respectful dialogue.

The same can be said of Hammers who has also been open to dialogue and has worked to change negative perceptions of atheists.

He’s been in the thick of things in Orange County, including the issue with the nativity displays in front of city hall and the county courthouse. His organization has also had an adopt-a-highway sign that’s been vandalized numerous times.

Both men will have 10 minutes to make a presentation, then they will answer questions.

We'll kick off the meeting with the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, who will let us know about their media lunch, which will be held the following day.

Nancy Correa, program director for the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center, will discuss the center, plus talk about the Community Profile of Jefferson County, which will be released on February 23rd.

Arrive early to place your order and enjoy free chips & salsa!

Date set for 25th Annual Excellence in the Media Awards banquet

Scott Eslinger — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 23:07:52 GMT

Mark your calendars and save the date to attend the 25th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Awards banquet Friday night, June 3, 2016, at the MCM Elegante' hotel in Beaumont.

Tickets for the dinner are $36.10 each and will be available for sale online at the Press Club website.

Table sponsorships are also available!

Come out for a fun evening and support the Press Club and the club-sponsored communication scholarships at Lamar University.

24th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Awards Banquet tickets available NOW

Scott Eslinger — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:00:00 GMT

The 24th Annual Excellence in the Media & Newsmaker of the Year Awards Banquet is June 5, 2015, at the MCM Elegante Hotel.

The Excellence in Media Awards Ceremony is the time when those who write, report, photograph and broadcast the news are awarded for their talents over the past year. Likewise, members of the public relations field are lauded for their efforts.

<BUY TICKETS HERE NOW >

The Press Club of Southeast Texas receives hundreds of entries from individuals and media outlets from across the region, including print, electronic media, magazines/trade press and public relations categories. Those entries are sent to judges throughout the nation, who choose the winners.

< SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE >

The annual event hosts local dignitaries and also recognizes the top area newsmakers from Southeast Texas. This year’s list of Newsmaker of the Year candidates were whittled down by a vote of the Press Club membership to include:

– The Beaumont ISD board of managers, appointed by the state education commissioner to clean up the troubled school district.

– Jennifer Daniels and Shawn Hare, organizers of Beaumont’s first PRIDE parade in support of LGBT rights.

– Earl Thomas III, former West Orange-Stark football player, current member of the Seattle Seahawks, sponsor of many local charity efforts.

– Raquel West, the first woman elected to a district court judgeship in Jefferson County, surviving a spirited primary, runoff and general election.

– Bob Wortham, who gave up a judge’s post to be elected Jefferson County district attorney, dominating a crowded ballot.

While all of these worthy candidates will be recognized for their work over the past year, only one will be selected as the 2014 Newsmaker of the Year by the Press Club of Southeast Texas.

Proceeds from the banquet fund The Press Club Memorial Scholarship at Lamar University dedicated to deceased journalists and awarded annually to students in communication, journalism, mass communications, advertising, public relations or related field.

Thank you in advance for your participation in the Excellence in Media event and support of the Press Club of Southeast Texas. We look forward to seeing you and your guests on June 5th.

Newsmaker of the Year Finalists Announced

Scott Eslinger — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:30:00 GMT

The Press Club of Southeast Texas has revealed its finalists for the coveted honor of “Newsmaker of the Year.” The award goes to the person or persons in Southeast Texas who made the biggest positive impact in the preceding year. The finalists are, in alphabetical order:

– The Beaumont ISD board of managers, appointed by the state education commissioner to clean up the troubled school district.

– Jennifer Daniels and Shawn Hare, organizers of Beaumont’s first PRIDE parade in support of LGBT rights.

– Earl Thomas III, former West Orange-Stark football player, current member of the Seattle Seahawks, sponsor of many local charity efforts.

– Raquel West, the first woman elected to a district court judgeship in Jefferson County, surviving a spirited primary, runoff and general election.

– Bob Wortham, who gave up a judge’s post to be elected Jefferson County district attorney, dominating a crowded ballot.

The winner will be announced at the Press Club’s annual 24th Annual Excellence in Media & Newsmaker Awards banquet on Friday, June 5 at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont. The winner has been determined by votes from all Press Club members.

At the banquet, local winners will also be announced for competition in various journalism and public relations categories among Press Club members. Proceeds from the banquet are used to fund an endowed scholarship for students at Lamar University.

Information on tickets or sponsorship for the banquet can be obtained by clicking here or by calling Debbie Bridgeman at 409.835.5951 x117.