The Department of Defense Communicators of Excellence Award Ceremony is scheduled for May 11, 2007, at 10 a.m. EDT at the Defense Information School, 6500 Mapes Road, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

The ceremony will be hosted by the Dorrance Smith, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. The award ceremony recognizes the efforts of military and DoD civilian journalists and visual communicators who earned honors in Thomas Jefferson Awards Program and the Visual Information Awards Program (VIAP). The Thomas Jefferson Awards Program recognizes excellence in print and broadcast categories. The VIAP consists of the Military Photographer of the Year, Military Graphic Artist of the Year and Military Videographer of the Year competitions.

The guest speaker for this event is the 1989 Pulitzer Prize winner for commentary, Clarence Page. The Defense Information School alumnus has been a columnist and a member of the Chicago Tribune's editorial board since July 1985. His column is syndicated nationally by Tribune Media Services to more than 180 newspapers. He has been based in Washington, D.C., since May 1991.

An open house and reception will be held immediately following the ceremony. For additional event information, please contact, Glenda Brown, (301) 677-4257 or e-mail: glenda.brown@dinfos.osd.mil .