The award is given to those rendering continuing outstanding service in the interests of news photography whether or not they are members of the profession. Kenneth P. McLaughlin, a photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle until his death in 1966, was the third president of the NPPA.
2021
Diana Castillo
2020
Frank Folwell
2019
Dr. Charles Davis, UGA
2018
Tim Underhill
2017
Lynn Oberlander
2016
Carolyn Hall
2015
Merry Murray
2014
Paul Martin Lester
2013
Bob CornRevere
Robert Balin
Ronald London
Alison Schary
2012
James Estrin
2011
Rich Beckman
2010
Anthony Bolante
2009
John H. Williams
2008
Harry Walker
Howard Finberg
2007
Joe Abell
2006
Mickey Osterreicher
Milbert Brown
Cathaleen Curtiss
William Snyder
2005
David Griffin
Sydney H. Schanberg
2004
Monte LaOrange
2003
Pat Woodard
Howell Raines
Bolivar Arellano
Maggie Steber
Keven Strehle
2002
Kevin Johnson
Maria Mann
Joseph W. Elbert II
Kenneth F. Irby
Larry Nighswander
Thomas P. Costello II
2001
Nancy Andrews
Deborah Potter
2000
Mark Bell
Bill Kuykendall
Kim Reimland Griffis
1999
Visual Edge Team:
Kenny Irby
Steve Rice
Karl Kuntz
Jay Nolan
Mike Jenner
1998
Horst Faas
1997
Russell D. Egnor
Lois Ahlhauser
Lisa Barnes
Paul Curtis
1996
Dr. Peter and Aphrodite Tsairis
1995
Mike Zerby
Donald Winslow
1994
William Hodge
John Premack
1993
Ken Hackman
Callie Shell
1992
Arnold Drapkin
1991
Howard Finberg
John Young
1990
Andrew Heyward
1989
Conrad Rose
1988
Edward M. Fillmer
Dr. Michael Sherer
1987
Richard Wisdom
1986
Joe B. Swan
Rick Smolan
1985
Cal Olson
Conrad E. Rose
1984
William Sanders
1983
Al Stephenson
1982
Morris Berman
Lew Bush
Karen Dooks
Colburn Hvidston III
Steve Tello
1981
Maury A. Falstein
C. Thomas Hardin
Harvey A. Weber
1980
I. Wilmer Counts Jr.
J. Charles Gardner
C. James Gleason
R. Pierson Smith
1979
James Gordon
William Seymour
Robert E. Strongman
1978
Jim Dooley
Sheila Keyes
Richard Pruitt
1977
Gifford D. Hampshire
Angus McDougall
1976
Howard Chapnick
1975
Cornelius Keyes
George A. Shivers
1974
Michael Andersen
Barry Sweet
1973
Robert Grant
1972
Chris T. Button
Steve Fontanini
1971
Ned Hockman
1970
Tom Keane
PAST RECIPIENTS 1960S
1969
Jack Bradley
Ernie Crisp
William M. Gallagher
Alan Harkrader
Robert Quinlan
1968
Mike Tatem
1967
Howard Back
Phillips Butler
June Glenn Jr.
1966
Marshall A.Dussinger
Charles G. 'Pat' Hall
David Hamer
1965
Richard C. Clarkson
Charles, Nell Cooper
Jack Swanburg
Eugene Swierkosz
1964
James Bennett
Bayard Lawes
Les Swenson
Paul Threlfall
1963
Brooks Crummett
Russ Hamilton
John Savage
Nelson Tiffany
1962
Curt Armstrong
Ollie Atkins
Kirk Braun
Robert East
Charles Nichols
1961
James Bennett
Gerald Clarke
Lester A. Linck
Edward J. Maker
1960
George Smallsreed Jr.
1959
Gordon Peters
Don Swenson
1958
John Faber
John Reidy
1957
William C. Allen
Elmer Richardson
1956
Edgar H. Timm
1955
Walter Jacobus
1953
James Colvin
Milton Freier
James May
Arthur Scott
1952
Gene Abbot
Robin Garland
1951
Hugh Morton
1950
J. Winton Lemen
Don Mohler
Bates Raney