A UA Little Rock communications professional was one of many Arkansas professionals who received national awards from the National Federation of Press Women’s 2021 communications contest. 

Angelita Faller, news director at UA Little Rock, earned second place in the Writing, Specialty Articles, Science and Technology category for a story detailing the COVID-19 research of Dr. Nitin Agarwal and his student researchers in COSMOS (Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies) who are working to inform the public of scams and misinformation related to the coronavirus pandemic through a public website and a partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. 

The judges noted that, “The author has taken what might seem like a typical side topic of the global pandemic – misinformation about the virus – and turned it into a strong article that not only informs the reader, it might save lives.” 

She also earned an honorable mention in the Writing, Specialty Articles, Arts and Entertainment category for an article that describes Dr. Angela Hunter’s efforts to translate and publish the most complete edition of 18th-century French philosopher Louise Dupin’s unpublished treatise “Work on Women” and the $133,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities that will help complete the professor’s long-time research goal. 

A second honorable mention in the Writing, Speciality Articles, Religion category came for a story detailing fall 2020 graduate Jason Littleton’s research into the life of Arkansas missionary Pearle McCain.

Arkansas journalists earned a total of 35 awards during the National Communications Contest sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women. The winners were among more than 2,000 entries in the 2021 national contest.

State awards were presented June 10 during an awards ceremony hosted by the organization’s Arkansas affiliate, Arkansas Press Women, held at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center.

These national award-winning entries had previously placed first in the Arkansas Press Women’s 2021 professional communications contest before advancing to the NFPW competition. More than 50 Arkansas first-place entries competed at the national level.

Faller took top honors during the Arkansas Press Women’s statewide contest, earning the 2021 Sweepstakes Award. 

She also earned the following honors in the 2021 Arkansas Press Women contest:

• First Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, Science or Technology for “UA Little Rock Researchers Help Identify Covid-19 Misinformation and Myths in New Public Website”
• First Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, Arts and Entertainment for “UA Little Rock Professor Receives National Endowment for Humanities Grant to Publish Book on Unpublished Works of Louise Dupin”
• First Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, Religion for “UA Little Rock Grad Jason Littleton Details Heroic Life of Arkansas Missionary Pearle McCain”
• First Place in Writing, Publications Regularly Written by Entrant Newsletter/other publication, non-profit, government, or educational for “UA Little Rock Now”
• Second Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, Hobby for “UA Little Rock’s Costume Shop Manager Creates Unique Line of Face Masks”
• Second Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, History for “Professor’s Research Leads to Historic Marker for Elaine 12 Member Frank Moore”
• Second Place in Writing, Specialty Articles, Social issues for “Care Team Makes Difference in Lives of UA Little Rock Students in Need”
• Second Place in Writing, Feature Story, Online publication for “Wilkerson Fulfills Dream of Earning College Degree 55 Years After Graduating High School”