Silver and Golden Em Awards

The late Dan Phillips, assistant publisher of The Oxford Eagle and former president of the Mississippi Press Association, has been unanimously selected to be recognized with the 2006 Silver Em Award for his outstanding contributions to journalism. His family received the award in his honor at a reception in Oxford on April 20.

Phillips graduated from Ole Miss in 1980 with a degree in journalism. He went to work for the Natchez Democrat in 1981 and later worked for newspapers in Alabama. He returned to Oxford in 1983 and joined The Oxford Eagle. He served on the MPA Board of Directors and held several offices with the organization, including serving as president in 1997-98. One year later, he was named president of the National Newspaper Association. Throughout his career, Phillips received awards from the Associated Press and MPA for his writing and photographs.
"Dan was hands-down one of the best journalists in the state and the country," said Samir Husni, chair of the Department of Journalism. "It's amazing that someone in his 40s would have accomplished so much. Dan was in the height of his career at his untimely death and he is well deserving of this honor. This Silver Em is only a small token of our gratitude for his efforts and work." Ralph Braseth, Silver Em committee chairman, said, "Dan was one of the least-flashy people ever. He embodied humility and was always giving credit to other people; this award is about giving him credit for his significant contributions to journalism." The most prestigious journalism award the university bestows, the Silver Em honors a print or broadcast journalist, living or deceased, whose career exemplifies the highest ideals of American journalism. Recipients include Pulitzer Prize winners and other distinguished journalists. The award is open to a native Mississippian or anyone who has spent a significant part of his or her career in the state. The Golden Em Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to journalism education at the university, while the Silver Mike Award recognizes significant contributions to broadcast journalism.
Dan Phillips (R) with his father Jesse, owner of The Oxford Eagle
Previous Winners

1958 George W. Healy, Jr.*
1959 Turner Catledge*
1960 Kenneth Toler*
1961 J. Oliver Emmerich, Sr.*
1963 George McLean*
1964 William B. Street *
1965 Purser Hewitt*
1966 Hal C. Decell*
1967 Paul Pittman*
1968 Hodding Carter, Jr.*
1969 Willie Morris*
1970 T. M. Hederman, Jr.*
1971 Joseph R. Ellis*
1972 Wilson F. Minor
1972 Sam Talbert+*
1973 Mark Ethridge*
1974 John Herbers
1975 H. L. Stevenson*
1976 William Raspberry

1977 Joe L. Albritton
1978 James A. Autry
1979 Jack Nelson
1980 Mary Lynn Kotz
1981 Curtis Wilkie
1982 Harold Burson
1983 John O. Emmerich, Jr*
1983 Gale Denley+
1984 Hazel Brannon Smith*
1984 Gerald Forbes+*
1985 Charles Overby
1986 W.C. "Dub" Shoemaker
1987 Charles Dunagin
1988 Larry Speakes
1988 Edward Fritts#
1989 Rudy Abramson
1989 Robin Mathis#

1990 Hodding Carter III
1991 James L. McDowell, Jr.
1992 Rheta Grimsley Johnson
1993 Dan Goodgame
1994 Bob Gordon
1995 Jere Hoar
1996 Gregory Favre
1997 Stephanie Saul
1998 Lerone Bennett
2000 Jerry Mitchell
2001 Bert Case#
2002 Ira Harkey
2003 Jim Abbott
2003 John Johnson+*
2005 Otis Sanford
2006 Dan Phillips*

*deceased
+Golden Em recipient
#Silver Mike recipient

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