21 | May | 2015 | Leo Adam Biga's My Inside Stories

UNO makes it public: I’m going to Africa with The Champ as a 2015 winner of the Andy Award for International Journalism

May 21, 2015 leoadambiga 2 comments

Here is the official UNO announcment of the 2015 winners of the Andy Award for International Journalism: Matthew Hansen of the Omaha World-Herald and yours truly. Matthew’s going to Cuba to explore Nebraska’s historic connections to Cuba and where that relationship will go in light of restoration of normalized relations and the lift of travel bans. I’m going to Rwanda and Uganda, Africa with two-time world boxing champion Terence Crawford of Omaha and a cadre of other Omahans to shed light on the efforts of Nebraskans and others in responding to needs in those nations and lessons learned there that can be applied here.

For more about my trip, link to-

https://leoadambiga.com/going-to-africa-with-the-champ-two-time-world-boxing-championterence-crawford-hail-the-omaha-conquering-hero-and-his-b-b-boxing-academy/

UNO Announces 2015 Winners of Andy Award for International Journalism

OMAHA – The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) announced today the latest winners of the Andy Award for international journalism.

Named in honor of former Omaha World-Herald Publisher Harold W. Andersen, the annual award funds new international reporting projects proposed by Nebraska-based journalists and news organizations.

This year’s winners are Omaha World-Herald journalist Matthew Hansen and freelance journalist Leo Adam Biga.

Hansen will travel to Cuba to explore its historic connections to Nebraska and how the relationship will blossom as travel and trade bans are lifted after 53 years. The resulting editorial piece will give Omaha World-Herald readers a window into Cuba: its culture, history, struggles, and future.

Biga’s travels will take him to Rwanda and Uganda, Africa, with former world lightweight boxing champion and newly crowned welterweight champion, Terrence Crawford, and Pipeline Worldwide co-founder, Jamie Nollette. The group will visit projects building fresh water wells and growing food, while meeting with aid workers and those affected by years of genocide and hunger. The group plans to travel to Africa in June 2015 and Biga’s resulting story will be published in Omaha Metro Magazine’s “Journeys” series.

“We are excited to be able to award two exceptional journalists this year,” said Tom Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies and Programs and chair of the Andy Award committee. “Both stories will show readers that there are connections between Nebraska and Rwanda, Nebraska and Cuba, and that international collaboration, or the absence of it, has a real impact on a country and its people.

Matthew Hansen

Leo Adam Biga
The Andy Award has honored Nebraska’s best international reporting since 1987. For the past 12 years, winners have received monetary awards, thanks to the generosity of Harold and Marian Andersen. The award committee accepts proposals to fund future reporting projects as a way to encourage more international journalism. This year’s awards are $5,000 each.

Applications for the 2016 Andy Awards will be accepted in Fall 2016. The competition is open to Nebraska-based news organizations – print, broadcast, and online – as well as freelance reporters.

More information is available at http://world.unomaha.edu/andy.php or by contacting UNO’s International Studies and Programs, 402.554.2376.

Past Winners of the Andy Award for international journalism:

_{2014    Julie Cornell and Andrew Ozaki, KETV Newswatch 7}
_{2011    Joseph Morton, Alyssa Schukar, Matthew Hansen and Cate Folsom, Omaha World-Herald}
_{2009    Carol Katzman, The Jewish Press}
_{2008    KIOS-FM Radio}
_{2005    Ted Kirk and Gordon Winters, Lincoln Journal Star}
_{2004    Jared Hart and Gary Sadlemyer, KFAB Radio}
_{2003    Joe Duggan, Catherine Huddle and Ken Blackbird, Lincoln Journal Star}
_{2002    Gordon Winters, Lincoln Journal Star

2002    Charles Reinken, Omaha World-Herald}
_{2001    Scott Bauer and Nati Harnik, Associated Press

2001    Stephen Buttry and Kiley Christian Cruse, Omaha World-Herald}
_{2000    Angela Heywood-Bible and Ted Kirk, Lincoln Journal Star;

2000    UNO Television}
_{1999    David C. Kotok, Omaha World-Herald}
_{1998    Jeff Carney, Robert Nelson and Rick Ruggles, Omaha World-Herald}
_{1997    Charley and Norma Najacht, Custer County Chief

1997   Henry Trysla, South Sioux City Star}
_{1996    Dewaine and Bobbie Gahan, Oakland Independent and Lyons Mirror-Sun

1996   Jeff Bundy and Jason Gertzen, Omaha World-Herald}
_{1995    Stephen Kent, The Catholic Voice}
_{1994    Bill Eddy, Lincoln Journal}
_{1993    Kay Lavene, Kearney Hub}
_{1992    Bob Reeves, Lincoln Star}
_{1991    Mary Williams, KMTV Channel 3 Omaha}
_{1990    Steve Jordan, Omaha World-Herald}
_{1989    Loretta Carroll, KMTV Channel 3 Omaha}
_{1988    Ken Campbell, Scottsbluff Star Herald}
_{1987    Harold W. Andersen, Omaha World-Herald}

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Categories: Africa, International Relations, Journalism, Leo Adam Biga, Terence Crawford, UNO (University of Nebraska at Omaha), Writing Tags: Andy Award for International Journalism, Going to Africa with The Champ, International Journalism/Reporting, Journalism, Leo Adam Biga, Terence Crawford, University of Nebraska at Omaha, UNO International Studies and Programs, Writing

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Mini-Profile

leoadambiga

Author-journalist-blogger Leo Adam Biga resides in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. He writes newspaper-magazine stories about people, their passions, and their magnificent obsessions. He's the author of the books "Crossing Bridges: A Priest's Uplifting Life Among the Downtrodden," "Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film" (a compilation of his journalism about the acclaimed filmmaker) "Open Wide" a biography of Mark Manhart. Biga co-edited "Memories of the Jewish Midwest: Mom and Pop Grocery Stores." His popular blog, Leo Adam Biga's My Inside Stories at leoadambiga.com, is an online gallery of his work. The blog feeds into his Facebook page, My Inside Stories, as well as his Twitter, Google, LinkedIn, Tumblr, About.Me and other social media platform pages.