Second Annual Federal Government Alumni Luncheon Honors Clarence Page

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and Ohio University alumnus Clarence Page was the man of the hour at the Second Annual Federal Government Alumni Luncheon on September 12. This ceremony, honored OU alumni active in public service to the nation. President Roderick McDavis hosted the event on behalf of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and held at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.

Page received the Outstanding Federal Government Alumnus Award. This award is presented to alumni who have attained significant achievement in their profession and substantial public service to the United States, as well as have contributed to the public affairs programs at Ohio University.

Page graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in 1969. He is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune Washington Bureau, and his column is syndicated nationally by the Tribune Media Services.

He has received lifetime achievement awards from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, the Chicago Headline Club, and the National Association of Black Journalists. He has frequently appeared on NPR, the PBS NewsHour, the McLaughlin Group, CNN, MSNBC, and BET’s Lead Story, among others. In 1972, he participated in a Task Force series on voter fraud that won a Pulitzer Prize.

He also received in 1989 a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his “provocative columns on local and national affairs.” Harper Collins published his book Showing My Color: Impolite Essays on Race and Identity in 1996. Page received an Honorary Doctorate from Ohio University in 1993.

As a recipient of this award, Page will serve as a national member of the Ohio University Public Affairs Advisory Committee. Members of this committee are involved in activities including teaching, internships, and placement of Ohio University students.

“I am deeply honored with this award from my alma mater and the Voinovich School, which is doing so much valuable work to advance education, job creation and leadership development at this critical time for Ohio and the rest of the nation. Among other wonderful attendees, I am delighted to speak to George Voinovich again, whose effectiveness and voice of reason across political parties still serves as a valuable role model for our national leaders.

Before presenting the award, Andy Alexander ’72 hosted a conversation with retired Senator George V. Voinovich. Voinovich, the former mayor of Cleveland, Ohio governor, and U.S. senator, received his bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1958 and his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1961.

Alexander, a former Washington Post ombudsman and currently a Scripps Howard Visiting Professional at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, asked Voinovich about a variety of topics relating to federal government, ranging from the former senator’s adjustment to retired life to what he considers his greatest achievement in Senate to the advice he would give to the Republican Party today.

Alexander and Kenneth Kies ’74 presented the Federal Government Alumni Award to Page after Alexander’s conversation with Senator Voinovich in front of an audience of just over 100. Kies, the Managing Director of the Federal Policy Group, LLC, was the recipient of the inaugural award last year.