Social Seens... Photography by Gram and Noraa
Bowtie Ball
Newspaperman Nelson Poynter’s legacy is honored each year at the Bowtie Ball that celebrates the journalists’ role in building an
informed electorate. The Poynter Institute chose the bowtie that Nelson wore each day to represent the role of independent journalism
in a strong democracy. Mark Rivera, a 10 News anchor, was master of ceremonies for the third annual ball, which was held at the
Hilton Carillon St. Petersburg. During the benefit, Paul Steiger was presented with the Distinguished Service to Journalism Award
and PBS broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff was given the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism. The Poynter
Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg is the site of the world’s leading journalism instruction for those who aspire to engage
and inform citizens in 21st century democracies. In the last year, the institute trained more than 108,000 people from 126 countries.
Tampa Bay philanthropists Carol and Frank
Morsani were among the many distinguished
guests who were enthralled by
Judy Woodruff’s remarks.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 161
Gene and Patsy McNichols enjoyed the
remarks by the Distinguished Service to
Journalism Award winner Paul Steiger about
the importance of journalism in our society.
Paul Tash, chair and CEO of Times Publishing
and chair of the Poynter Institute’s board of
trustees, who has been with the Times since
1978, welcomed guests to the Bowtie Ball that
raises funds for the Poynter Institute.
Suzanne and Jim MacDougald were
captivated by Judy Woodruff’s dinner
conversation with Indira Lakshmanan,
the Poynter Institute’s Newmark Chair in
Journalism Ethics.
Neil Brown, the new president of the
Poynter Institute, and Kelly McBride, its vice
president, spoke at this fundraiser on behalf
of the Poynter Institute.
Tom Sansone and his wife, journalist
Cathy Unruh, helped sponsor the benefit that
named their friends Liz and Greg Sembler
as its honorary co-chairs.