Dennis Wagner, senior reporter for “The Arizona Republic” and correspondent for “USA Today” has won an Honorable Mention for the 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of National Defense.
The 28th annual Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for distinguished reporting in 2014 were presented by Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney and Foundation Trustee Carla A. Hills at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on June 1, 2015 at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C.
When announcing their decision to award Dennis Wagner the Honorable Mention Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense in 2014, the judges issued the following statement:
“The National Defense judging panel awarded the honorary mention to Dennis Wagner of the Arizona Republic. The paper’s investigative reporting broke a series of stories on mismanagement at the VA that constituted a breach of the commitment made to those who served their country so well. Wagner’s stories made it clear that the promise made to military personnel of reliable healthcare upon their leaving active service was not being kept, and the impact drove political action by the President and Congress and forced accountability in the VA system.”
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation sponsors the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prizes for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and Distinguished Reporting on National Defense to recognize and encourage thoughtful, insightful, and enterprising work by journalists covering the presidency and national defense. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford’s sustained commitment to public service.
For more information about the annual prize or previous winners contact: Joe Calvaruso, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, 303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353, (616) 254-0397, jcalvaruso@38foundation.org or visit our website at www.geraldrfordfoundation.org.
