John Gholdston, a former BYU journalism educator, was acknowledged as this year's recipient of the Clifford P. Cheney Award for the Utah Society of Professional Journalists.

This award recognized Gholdston's outstanding service for 15 years as an educator.

"I was flabbergasted and elated that SPJ honored me," Gholdston said. "It was gratifying to be recognized for my work."

Donald W. Meyers, Utah SPJ president, said in a news release, "John has made his mark, not on a generation of Utah journalists, but journalists around the country." Meyers is also Opinions Page Editor of The Daily Herald.

"His students have gone to work at prestigious media outlets around the country," he said.

Gregory McKeown, former student and author said, "He was a friend of the students, he is full of mercy and cares about others - he was the people professor."

Gholdston supervised The Daily Universe for 15 years, and helped with the formation of NewsNet - the integrated newsroom of BYU.

His contribution has made BYU recognized throughout the United States. NewsNet received national awards while he helped manage the newsroom.

Gholdston is currently managing editor of the New Utah newspapers, a series of weeklies covering northern Utah County.