For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to quality of writing, originality and concision, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times for her moving, richly detailed story of a neglected little girl, found in a roach-infested room, unable to talk or feed herself, who was adopted by a new family committed to her nurturing. (Moved into contention by the Board from within the Feature Writing category.)

Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University, presents the 2009 Feature Writing prize to Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times.

Finalists

Nominated as finalists in this category were: John Barry of the St. Petersburg Times for his concise, captivating story about a rescued baby dolphin that needed a new tail and became a famous survivor, illuminating the mysterious connection between human beings and animals; Amy Ellis Nutt of The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J., for her poignant, deeply reported story of a chiropractor who suffered a severe stroke following brain surgery and became a wildly creative artist, in many ways estranged from his former self; and Diane Suchetka of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, for her harrowing tale of a mechanic whose arms were reattached after being severed in an accident, a disciplined narrative that takes readers on the man’s painful personal and physical journey to recover.