Joseph Costa Award

Awarded to an individual for most outstanding initiative, leadership, and service in advancing the goals of NPPA in the tradition of Joseph Costa, a founder of NPPA, its first president and chairman of the board (one award each year; established in 1954).

Joseph Costa also edited the official NPPA magazine, then called the National Press Photographer, from 1946 to 1966. For nearly 44 years, he was a photographer, chief photographer, or photo supervisor for the New York Morning World, New York Daily News, New York Mirror, and King Features Syndicate (when the New York Mirror folded). Until 1985, he taught photojournalism at Ball State University, Muncie, IN., where he was awarded an honorary degree upon retirement. Joe Costa died in 1988. Claude Cookman's book, A Voice is Born, written for the NPPA, describes the role Costa played in the founding of the organization.

PAST RECIPIENTS 

2021
Ben Worsley

2020
Chris Post

2019
Yunghi Kim

2018
Anne Herbst

2017
Alyssa Adams

2016
John Thain

2015
Phil Sandlin

2014
Julie Jones

2013
Seth Gitner
Will Sullivan

2012
William Auth

2011
Tom Costello

2010
Travis Barrick

2009
Michelle McLoughlin

2008
Chip Maury

2007
Pat Holloway

2006
Greg Smith

2005
Donald R Winslow

2004
Bob Lynn

2003
John Cornell

2002
Maria Mann

2001
Steve Sweitzer

2000
Bill Luster

1999
Kenny Irby

1998
Mary Lou Foy

1997
Bob Lynn

1996
Tom Kennedy

1995
Frank Folwell

1994
John Long

1993
Sandra Eisert

1992
William H Strode

1991
Larry Hatteberg

1990
Tony Spina

1989
C Thomas Hardin

1988
J Charles Gardner

1987
Colburn Hvidston III

1986
Barry Edmonds

1985
Harvey A Weber

1984
William Seymour

1983
Jack Corn

1982
James Gordon

1981
Kenneth Cooke

1980
Gary Settle

1979
John Faber

1978
Robert Brush

1977
Charles Cooper

1976
Cornelius Keyes

1975
Michael A Andersen

1974
June Glenn Jr

1973
Ernie Crisp

1972
Jack Bradley

1971
Robert E Strongman

1970
David Hamer

1969
Richard C Clarkson

1968
Sam C Pierson Jr

1967
Marshall Dussinger

1966
John Ahlhauser

1965
Cal Olson

1964
Phillips Butler

1963
Ed Maker

1962
James Godbold

1961
Robert East

1960
Don Swenson

1959
Charles Higgins

1958
John Rammel

1957
Morris Berman

1956
Wilfred d'Aquin

1955
Gordon Yoder

1954
Joseph Benetti