Quinn named Dow Jones Trayes Scholar

Ryan Quinn, who graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2012 with a journalism degree, has been named the 2012 Edward Trayes Scholar out of this past summer's class of Dow Jones News Fund editing interns.

Quinn spent the summer as a Dow Jones editing intern at the New York Times Regional Editing Center in Gainesville, Fla., after training with Dr. Ed Trayes at Temple University. He is now a reporter at The State Journal in Frankfort, Ky.

The recognition comes with a $1,000 scholarship. The Trayes Scholarship is endowed by Terrence O'Toole, a 1979 graduate of the Temple residency, through The O'Toole Foundation of Short Hills, N.J. O'Toole committed to fund the scholarship for 10 years in 2004 marking the 25th anniversary of his participation in the program.

Dr. Trayes said, "In many ways, Ryan is a throwback in terms of his work ethic, his enthusiasm for a career in journalism, and his determination to succeed.  Ryan was outstanding during the editing residency at Temple.  He pushed himself every day to do his best . . . . Ryan shows great promise as a journalist."

Richard Holden, executive director of DJNF, said, "It's a pleasure to have Ryan join the list of winners. We're very grateful to Terry O'Toole for supporting Fund-trained journalists in this way."

Quinn called his work on the international weekly a "globetrotting reading experience." What might be important to American readers was not necessarily a priority to readers in China or Toronto. Knowing what to tease on the front pages for the different issues, say in Latin America, was a skill he had to develop fast. Training in geography, international datelines and the like were also valuable, he said.

He also gained appreciation for the art of design.  "It is very difficult and I never realized how difficult it was until I did it," he said.

 "The thing about design is that now when I look at my paper or any paper, I have this eye for design now - it's not a designer's eye - but I can see widows and captions that need to be filled out. The New York Times is very specific about how the paper should look and it looks very good when it comes out." 

At USC, Quinn was the recipient of the J. Rion McKissick Award his senior year. Read more >