Black Jack Pershing wins Sigma Delta Chi Award

Monday, April 23, 2018 - 12:30pm

On Monday, April 23, the Society of Professional Journalists announced that Bernard "Barney" McCoy, Luis-Peon Casanova, Paul Pytlowany, and Christine Lesiak are recipients of this year's national Sigma Delta Chi Award for excellence in journalism for the documentary "Black Jack Pershing: Love and War." 

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored individuals for contributions to journalism. The awards recognize the best in professional journalism in categories covering print, radio, television, newsletters, art/graphics, online and research. The Sigma Delta Chi Awards banquet will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on June 8.

"Black Jack Pershing: Love and War" tells the life story of Gen. John J. Pershing whose roots ran deep in 20th century America. He commanded 2 million U.S. troops that helped win World War I and changed the world. America became a global superpower, and Pershing rose to be his nation’s highest-ranking military officer. But hidden beneath Pershing’s iron exterior was a man who endured great personal tragedy and heartbreak.

  • Bernard "Barney" McCoy, producer of the documentary, is a professor of broadcasting in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • Luis Peon-Casanova, primary videographer on the project, is an assistant professor of practice in broadcasting in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.   
  • Christina Lesiak, a story consultant on the project, is an executive producer at NET, Nebraska's PBS station.
  • Paul Pytlowany, primary video editor on the project, is a senior videographer and production manager at CBS Detroit

"Black Jack Pershing: Love and War" is a co-production of McCoy's Painted Rock Productions and NET,  Nebraska's PBS station. Production support for the documentary was provided by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. It received funding from Lowell Vestal, Sandra S. Pershing, Humanities Nebraska, University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Research Council, and the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation. 

For more information contact:

Professor Barney McCoy at 402.472/3047 or bmccoy2@unl.edu

McCoy
Barney McCoy
PeonCasanova
Luis Peon-Casanova
Pytlowany
Paul Pytlowany
Lesiak
Christine Lesiak