A few years ago a young journalist looking for a job knocked on the door of the Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau, then in the National Press Building. I had nothing for the cold-calling Dan Gilbert, but once he said he attended the University of Chicago (class of 2005) the Chicago connection kicked in. I agreed to review his resume and make some suggestions, impressed by his determination to be a reporter who burned shoe leather and his fluency in Spanish. Turned out I mentored him through the years and I am just bursting with pride to say that the Pulitzer Prize for public service on Monday was given to the Bristol, Va. Herald Courier “for the work of Daniel Gilbert.”
Here’s the citation:
For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper or news site through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics, video and other online material, presented in print or online or both, a gold medal.
Awarded to the Bristol (VA) Herald Courier for the work of Daniel Gilbert in illuminating the murky mismanagement of natural-gas royalties owed to thousands of land owners in southwest Virginia, spurring remedial action by state lawmakers.