During the recent ScienceWriters meeting, the winner of a very special annual award was announced. NASW depends on volunteers for just about everything that happens in this organization, with thousands of hours contributed annually. We’re pleased each year to be able to recognize exemplary service through the Diane McGurgan Volunteer Service Award. This year's awardee is Czerne Reid, someone whose generosity, enthusiasm, knowledge, and willingness to roll up her sleeves and do whatever work is needed is a truly gift.
Czerne joined NASW in 2005 and over the years she has been a tireless advocate for students and other newcomers to science writing. She’s been the education committee co-chair since 2013, together with Ashley Yeager, and together they plan and execute the mentor program and internship fair at AAAS every year. She has also worked to put together, with Ashley, the #one-minute mentor lunch session at our meeting, which is now in its second year. “Czerne does everything at 120%, from brainstorming ideas for new programs, to planning the social media campaigns for the education committee events, to mentoring new students. She also personally reads all of the travel fellows' stories and provides insightful feedback, making their stories crisp and engaging, and also providing them with an incredible editing and mentoring experience. She's always full of energy, which is infectious, encouraging an upbeat attitude, even in the most challenging moments. She's incredible to work with and learn from, and I am so thankful to be working with her,” says Ashley.
Last year, Czerne served as the co-chair of the regional committee on Latin America and the Caribbean for WCSJ2017, reviewed travel fellowship applications, and was the powerhouse behind the planning of the pre-conference workshop and the organization of a range of activities for Latin American and Caribbean attendees at WCSJ2017. She is committed to building a science journalism network in the Caribbean and connecting it to NASW and helped organize a session at ScienceWriters2018 for regional travel fellows from the area. To quote CASW’s executive director, Ros Reid, “She is dogged. If anyone can make that happen, Czerne will.”
Thank you, Czerne, and congratulations. Know that your dedication to our community has not gone unnoticed.
To read more about the history and past winners of the McGurgan Award, visit www.nasw.org/mcgurgan-award.
