In this section:
Individual Honors
Society-level honors recognize STC members’ outstanding contributions to the Society and the advancement of the technical communication profession. Individual Society-level honors include Exemplars, and the elevation of membership levels to Fellows and Associate Fellows of the Society. The following shows the achievements and honors of Washington, DC – Baltimore (WDCB) Chapter members.
Exemplars
The highest honor that the Society can confer upon a member is that of exemplar. Those who become exemplars are members who have provided support and inspiration to the technical communication profession.
WDCB is proud to recognize its exemplars:
| Year Exemplar Awarded | Year Fellow Awarded | Recipient | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1984 | Lola M. Zook Tribute |
 "Lola M. Zook, of the Washington, DC – Baltimore (WDCB) Chapter, has served as writer, editor, and publications manager in a wide range of military, government, and technical organizations in her distinguished fifty-two year career. Through her many publications and presentations, Lola has shaped the direction of the technical editing profession. She was a senior editor at EEI Communications in Alexandria, Virginia. Lola was elected a fellow of STC in 1984." |
Honorary Fellows
The Washington, DC – Baltimore (WDCB) Chapter is proud to recognize its distinguished STC honorary fellow members:
| Year Fellow Awarded | Recipient | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Vinton G. Cerf, PhD |  ‘Vint’ Cerf is a computer scientist who is often called one of the "Fathers of the Internet". Cerf is the co-designer with Robert E. Kahn of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet. He has received many honorary degrees and awards that include the Living Legend Medal, National Medal of Technology, the Turing Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to becoming an STC Honorary Fellow in May 2006, he and Robert Kahn were both inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. Cerf currently works for Google as a Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist. As an STC Honorary Fellow living in this area, Dr. Cerf became an automatic member of our chapter. See also:
|
| 2006 | Robert E. Kahn, PhD |  Robert Kahn invented the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and along with Vinton G. Cerf created the Internet Protocol (IP), the technologies used to transmit information on the Internet. Dr. Kahn is the Chairman, CEO and President of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), which he founded in 1986. CNRI is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership and funding for research and development of the National Information Infrastructure. As an STC Honorary Fellow living in this area, Dr. Kahn became an automatic member of our chapter. |
Fellows
Becoming an STC Fellow is a lifelong journey of achievement, an honor bestowed by the Society upon Associate Fellows who have continued to make exemplary contributions to the arts and sciences of technical communication, and for sustained and significant service to STC. These contributions involve significant achievements that advance the profession and its recognition.
To be considered for Fellow, a candidate must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Honored as an Associate Fellow for at least 2 years
- Member of the Society in good standing for at least 13 years
- Active in the Technical Communication profession for at least 18 years
Elevation from the rank of Associate Fellow to Fellow is not an automatic progression. Successful candidates for Fellow must demonstrate career-long accomplishments in all categories of the application. Continuing excellence since becoming an Associate Fellow is an important factor, as are the depth and breadth of accomplishments over the span of a candidate's career.
WDCB is proud to recognize its Fellows:
| Year Fellow Awarded | Year of Associate Fellow | Recipient | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2015 | Aslihan Ugur Akinci |  "For superb contribution to the profession through international publication in many media, dedicated mentorship of students and colleagues, and steadfast leadership of the Washington DC-Baltimore chapter." |
| 2016 | 2011 | Carolyn Kelley Klinger |  "For her boundless enthusiasm, her advocacy for STC as the voice of the profession, and her unwavering devotion to recruiting, training, and supporting STC volunteers." |
| 2015 | 2012 | Lori Meyer |  "For outstanding service to multiple STC communities and to the Society as a whole; for achieving distinction as an innovator and pioneer in her service to STC and in her professional career." |
| 2012 | 2003 | Charles Fisher |  "For your lifetime commitment to the field of technical communication and your invaluable contribution to the effort to design and implement a certification program for the Certified Professional Technical CommunicatorTM credential." |
| 2010 | 2007 | David Dick |  "For his efforts as editor and assistant manager of the Usability & User Experience SIG, his leadership in founding the Belgium Chapter of STC, and his willingness to share his experience in judging newsletter and technical communications competitions." |
| 2007 | 1999 | Thomas E. Pinelli, PhD |  "For advancement of best practices in technical communication through independent research, creative vision, convergence of communication disciplines, and charting of new territory across visual and multimedia production modes." |
| 2006 | 2002 | Doreen A. Mannion |  "For excellence as a manager, writer, and mentor in technical communication, quality, and technology management; and for long-standing support at all levels of the Society." |
| 2004 | 2002 | Cynthia A. Lockley |  "For significant contribution to the technical communication profession as a writer, editor, manager, mentor, and webmaster; and for distinguished service to the Society at all levels." |
| 2004 | 2002 | Mary R. Wise |  "For exemplary contributions to promote the value of effective technical communication, and for providing innovative leadership to numerous Society postitions, particularly as STC president." |
| 1998 | 1994 | Constance L. Kiernan |  "For demonstrating excellence as a writer, editor, consultant, and manager of technical communication; for valuable contributions as a mentor to new communicators; and for outstanding service to the Society at the international level, particularly in annual conference management." |
| 1998 | 1996 | Janice (Ginny) C. Redish, PhD |  "For extraordinary efforts at creating, encouraging, and researching plain text English and usability in documents, and for major contributions to the Society's publications and research programs." |
| 1998 | 1996 | Annette D. Reilly, PhD |  "For exemplary leadership as a writer, editor, and publications manager at Lockheed Martin; for dedication to promoting professional recognition and respect for technical communicators; and for distinguished performance in numerous STC positions, particularly as STC President." |
| 1992 | 1985 | Gerald A. Mann |  "For outstanding publications management in the U.S. Bureau of the Census, for contributions as developer and teacher of technical communication courses, and for exceptional service to the Society for Technical Communication." |
| 1991 | 1984 | David B. Dobson |  David B. Dobson is recognized and honored as a Fellow for demonstrating initiative and resourcefulness in technical printing and for distinguished performance in STC programs and activities." |
| 1990 | 1984 | J. Dexter Nilsson |  J. Dexter Nilsson is recognized and honored as a Fellow. For all-around, innovative leadership in step with the swiftly, unfolding dynamics of technical communication and for selfless response to the needs of the Society of Technical Communication." |
| 1986 | no record | H. Nelson Fitton |  "For dedication and leadership in the technical publishing activities of the Federal Government." |
| 1984 | 1981 | Lola M. Zook Tribute |
no record |
| 1981 | no record | Herman M. Weisman |  "For his significant contributions to communication science and to the education of technical communicators and journalists, and for distinguished service to the Society." |
| 1978 | no record | Peter Smith Tribute |
 no record |
Associate Fellows
STC recognizes and honors deserving senior members by conferring upon them the rank of Associate Fellow. This honor recognizes members for their outstanding achievements in and contributions to the arts and science of technical communication, and for sustained and significant service to STC. To be considered for Associate Fellow, a candidate must have
- Been active in technical communication for at least 15 years.
- Fulfilled 10 years of service as an STC Member (with at least 5 years at the level of Senior Member), as of the application submission deadline.
WDCB is proud to recognize its current and past Associate Fellows:
| Year | Recipient | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Viqui Dill |  "For skillfully combining technical, communication, and social media skills with passionate leadership that illuminates the strengths of others and gives everyone a voice." |
| 2015 | Ugur Akinci |  "For technical communication leadership through multiple media, passionate outreach to students, and encouragement and support of the profession in the Greater Washington Chapter and local communities." |
| 2012 | Lori Meyer | "For your outstanding, selfless service to the profession and the Society through innovative uses of Web technologies to maintain a virtual, enthusiastic presence in multiple geographically disbursed STC communities." |
| 2011 | Carolyn Kelley Klinger |  "For continuing leadership, innovation, and unfailing energy assisting the advancement of technical communication as a profession and for encouraging participation in serving the chapter and the Society." |
| 2009 | David D. Dayton, PhD |  "For outstanding contributions to STC in conducting practical research focused on practitioners; in teaching and mentoring students and developing curricula; and in playing a key role in the groundwork for creating the technical communication knowledge portal." |
| 2007 | David Dick |  "For extensive, enduring commitment to the communities of STC and for developing the careers of technical communicators." |
| 2003 | Charles Fisher |  "For outstanding dedication to the Society, including serving as program manager for annual conferences and manager of the International Student Technical Communication Competition, passion for mastering the latest technologies in our field, and continued commitment to training future technical communication professionals." |
| 2003 | Betty Montgomery |  "For dedicated service to the Society and her community in the areas of education and communication, her commitment to the Washington, DC – Baltimore (WDCB) Chapter, particularly the Austin T. Brown High School Technical Communication Competition, and her enthusiastic participation in Society conferences and activities." |
| 2002 | Cynthia A. Lockley | "For outstanding service as a trailblazer in the use of the World Wide Web for STC communication, for creative promotional materials, and for passionately supporting all people with special needs." |
| 2002 | Doreen Mannion |  "For mentoring aspiring and current technical communication managers through the Management SIG, inspired speaking talent at Annual Conferences and chapter programs, professional excellence in writing, quality assurance, and indexing, and leadership as a chapter competition judge and newsletter editor." |
| 2002 | Mary R. Wise | "For superb leadership of the Society and its members in the areas of branding and image definition, team and project management, personal leadership skill development, training, and distance learning, while motivating others to do their best through the vehicles of humor and a deeply felt sense of purpose." |
| 1999 | Thomas E. Pinelli, PhD |  "For distinguished contributions to the profession, the Society, and the public as a researcher, author, editor, manager, and educator." |
| 1996 | Janice C. Redish, PhD | "For innovation, energy, and creativity in identifying the challenges of technical communication, and for skills in teaching, investigating, and applying solutions to issues related to technical communication." |
| 1996 | Annette D. Reilly, PhD |  "For outstanding leadership in the Society, management innovations, and continuous interest in and support of colleagues." |
| 1994 | Constance L. Kiernan |  "For community service as an author and volunteer, for annual conference management, and for outstanding service to the Society for Technical Communication." |
| 1992 | Marian O. Norby Tribute |
 "For outstanding success in helping authors, and dedicated service to the Society for Technical Communication." |
| 1986 | Austin T. Brown High School Communication Award |
 "For continuing leadership and encouraging participation in the growth and enhancement of the profession of technical communication and for steady support of the goals and objectives of the Society for Technical Communication." |
| 1985 | Gerald A. Mann | "For his numerous and valuable contributions of time, energy and expertise to the Washington Chapter and the international Society, and for his continuing commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching the principles of effective technical communication." |
| 1984 | David B. Dobson | "For his long and tireless effort to advance the state of the art in technical communication, as well as for his service to STC and its publications program." |
| 1984 | J. Dexter Nilsson | "Society of Technical Communication recognizes and honors J. Dexter Nilsson as an Associate Fellow. For contributing significantly to the introduction of computer technology to technical communication, for service to the STC, and for material support of the Huntsville and Washington Chapters." |
| 1983 | H. Nelson Fitton | no record |
| 1981 | Lola M. Zook Tribute |
no record |
| no record | Herman M. Weisman | no record |
| no record | Peter Smith Tribute |
no record |
We Need Your Help
The Chapter History Committee is collecting information to include on this page. If you have pictures you'd like to add to our Album of chapter photo archives or information that will fill in the blanks, please send email to chapter history information
Related Links
Last modified: 3 September 2022
