Respected OC Journalism alumnus named “Best Reporter in Oklahoma” by The Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists
Bobby Ross Jr., a respected Oklahoma Christian University Journalism alumnus, continues to impress his alma mater in his current role at The Christian Chronicle. At the end of last year, he received the honor of “Best Reporter,” among the highest honors given to reporters each year by The Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists. SPJ is a national organization dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.
The Best Reporter category was open to all newspaper, online and magazine reporters. Applicants submitted five stories from 2021, and judges evaluated each journalist’s skills of information gathering, writing style and clarity of reporting.
Ross also won first and second place awards in multiple SPJ categories. He earned first place for personal column, editorial/commentary and diversity reporting (with co-author Cheryl Mann Bacon. Ross earned second place in the feature writing and sports feature categories.
The Christian Chronicle’s President and CEO Erik Tryggestad praised Ross for his accomplishments.
“Permit time to brag on my colleague Bobby Ross Jr., The Christian Chronicle’s chief correspondent,” Tryggestad said. “That title only describes a part of what he’s done for the Chronicle since joining our staff in 2005. He has served as managing editor and continues to play an important role in crafting the voice of this publication, maintaining ‘not only the highest ethics of the newspaper profession, but also of Christianity’ as our founder, Olan Hicks, wrote nearly 75 years ago in the Chronicle’s second issue.”
Ross’ work demonstrates the impact that can be made by Christian journalists and current OC students who choose to follow in his footsteps.
Tryggestad continued his praise of Ross.
“For me, it’s really exciting to see a Christian journalist honored for Christian journalism by a secular organization,” he said.