Michael Campbell has been the recipient of several awards for his work in journalism & public relations through his career. Those awards include peer recognitions through the Virginia Press Association and its annual News and Advertising Contes, by local governing bodies through formal recommendation of his inclusion to the Virginia School Boards Association Media Honor Roll, and workplace honors for excellence in his performance of duties.
Photo: Del. Lashrecse Aird speaks with VDOT Residency Administrator Crystal Smith during a meeting at a Dinwiddie intersection locals feel was dangerous and in need of safety enhancements in 2019.
Virginia Press Association News & Advertising Contest, 2019
Third Place - In-Depth or Investigative Reporting
Despite past accidents, Dinwiddie locals split on VDOT plans to reconfigure busy intersection
The entry served as a compilation of news coverage written by Michael Campbell for The Dinwiddie Monitor focused on plans to reconfigure an intersection residents felt was dangerous, but were divided on what should be done to address its issues. Throughout 2019, Campbell communicated closely with Dinwiddie County leaders, VDOT representatives, public safety officials, and other stakeholders to provide a broad scope of coverage on the subject. Additionally, Freedom of Information Act requests allowed specific financial information sought by locals to be shared with the community, providing further transparency and facts for the community to lean on as they discuss the state agency's plans.
The gallery below features a selection of articles that were included in Michael Campbell's third-place submission to the Virginia Press Association (VPA)'s annual News and Advertising Contest in 2019. The investigative reporting series, highlighting the fight of Dinwiddie County leaders and residents for changes to a busy intersection plagued with deadly crashes, featured in-depth research into VDOT procedures and interviews with key stakeholders. Following the months-long reporting by Michael Campbell, the county and transportation agency were able to develop and implement a series of "compromise" changes to the intersection, reducing the number of accidents at the intersection.
Photo: Images of fallen law enforcement members rest on a table at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg during the 2019 Tri-Cities Law Enforcement Memorial Breakfast. The event is attended by law enforcement from across the Central Virginia area.
Virginia Press Association News & Advertising Contest, 2019
Third Place - General News Writing
Region’s law enforcement honor the fallen at memorial breakfast
The entry served as to showcase coverage of a single event, the Tri-Cities Law Enforcement Memorial Breakfast. This event sees hundreds of first responders uniting over a warm breakfast for fellowship and to honor their fallen brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty across Southside Virginia.
Prior to the traditional lighting of candles in front of portraits of the fallen officers, including local police offices and Virginia State troopers, the keynote message was delivered by Jamie Walter, the wife of slain Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael Walter as she shared how she and her family turned their mourning over the death of a husband and father into action that led to changes in Virginia's capital murder laws.
Virginia School Boards Association Media Honor Roll
Multiple Years Honored for Journalism & Public Relations Work
The Virginia School Boards Association Media Honor Roll was created to recognize fair and balanced reporting about our schools and Virginia’s public education system. Each year, in the early Fall, the VSBA Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives in print, radio, and television, and school information/community relations representatives. Michael Campbell has been named to the Media Honor Roll four times in the last five years by local school boards for in the areas of reporting and public relations.
- 2018: Prince George County School Board
- 2019: Prince George County School Board, Dinwiddie County School Board
- 2020: Prince George County School Board
- 2021: Prince George County School Board
Prince George County Public Schools Compass Award Recipient
As part of Prince George County Public Schools' 'Royal Recognitions' initiative, the division's Compass Award recognizes nominated teachers and staff who put children first and would be described as keeping students as their 'true north' at all times.
These individuals represent the spirit of Prince George in their day-to-day service to the school system, students, and community, as well as exhibited contributions that go above and beyond the standard of excellence expected in Prince George.
2021: School Board Office Compass Award Recipient
