UFCJC Student Journalist Receives 2025 Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts

Garrett Shanley, University of Florida Journalism and Communications Journalism and Communications Journalism senior and editor of the University Desk of The Independent Florida Alligator, has received a 2025 Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts. The award is presented by the University of Texas Moody College of Communication School of Journalism and Media.

Shanley earned first place in the student media division for his reporting that exposed the channeling of millions of dollars, much of it to political allies, by former UF President Ben Sasse. He will also receive a $5,000 prize.

The Dan Rather Medals for News and Guts were created in 2020 by UT’s Moody College of Communication with Rather’s guidance to honor courageous journalism and to encourage reporters to pursue difficult but necessary stories. Rather, a Texas native who started his journalism career in 1950 in Texas, anchored the “CBS Evening News” from 1981 to 2005 and serves as a permanent member of Moody College’s Advisory Council.

Shanley also won recognition in the 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference Best of the South Competition for his coverage of the same story.

Category: College News, Student News
Tagged: Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts Fresh Take Florida Garrett Shanley The Independent Florida Alligator
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