Distinguished Service Award

Established in 2004, the Distinguished Service Award annually recognizes an MDDC volunteer whose extraordinary service effort has made a profound and lasting difference to MDDC organization and membership. 

Each annual winner is presented a plaque at MDDC's annual Awards Assembly
held in April each year. In addition, a $500 contribution is made to the MDDC Press Foundation
in the winner's name and a photo of the winner is added to the permanent display at MDDC's Annapolis headquarters. 

Nominations for the award are accepted until the end of August each year. Online nominations can be submitted here.

Previous winners of the Distinguished Service Award are: 

• John League, Herald Mail, 2011
  
• Tom Schmidt, Carroll Publishing, 2010
• Jeff Mezzatesta, Chesapeake Publishing, 2009
• Jim Donahue, MDDC Press Association, 2008
• Tom Marquardt, Capital-Gazette Newspapers, 2007
• Larry Effingham, The Star Democrat, 2006
• James S. Keat, The Baltimore Sun, 2005
• Carol Melamed, The Washington Post, 2004