The Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence recognizes an individual who has performed an outstanding service or accomplishment to his/her newspaper, to the newspaper industry in general, to his/her local community or to the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association that reflected positively on the newspaper industry in Pennsylvania. (Nominees may include newspaper owners and employees, legislators, community leaders, business leaders and university/college administrators.)

The award is presented at the PNA Annual Dinner at the Annual Convention. Contact Rae Elise Williard, (717) 703-3062, with questions or concerns.

2008 Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence winner: James G. Blaine, writer, teacher and consultant, Philadelphia

2007 Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence winner: Jan Murphy, Craig Staudenmaier, Esq., The Patriot-News Staff, Harrisburg

2006 Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence winner: Coulston "Skip" Henry, retired publisher, News Gleaner Publications, Philadelphia

2005 Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence winner: Mark Scolforo, reporter, The Associated Press, Harrisburg