Photo Gallery: 2025 Toner Prizes Celebration

Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato speaks to the audience to open the 2025 Toner Prizes celebration event in Washington. — Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato speaks to the audience to open the 2025 Toner Prizes celebration event in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Genaro C. Armas)

The Newhouse School at Syracuse University formally awarded the 2025 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting at a celebration Monday in Washington, D.C. The gathering took place for the first time at the rooftop event space of the downtown building that serves as the home for the University’s center in the nation’s capital. The Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship and the Newhouse DC program are headquartered at the University space.

First presented in 2011, the prizes were established as a tribute to alumna Robin Toner ’76, the late national political correspondent for The New York Times. The evening included remarks by Steven Portnoy ’03, national correspondent for ABC News Radio; as well as a discussion about the future of journalism between featured guest Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, and Boris Sanchez ’09, a Washington-based anchor for CNN.

The Toner Prizes are sponsored by the Newhouse School, which announced the 2025 honorees in early March.

Photos by Shannon Finney unless otherwise noted.

Maribel Perez Wadsworth and Boris Sanchez at the discussion before the Toner Prizes awards ceremony — Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, and CNN anchor Boris Sanchez ’09, discuss the future of journalism before the 2025 Toner Prizes awards presentation in Washington, D.C.

Kristina Hahn '98, retired MSNBC host Chris Matthews and Tonia O'Connor '92 at the Toner Prizes

Kristina Hahn ’98, (left) managing director, global partner development, Amazon; retired MSNBC host Chris Matthews; and Tonia O’Connor ’92, founder and CEO of Kite Labs, at the Toner Prizes reception.

PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff at the 2025 Toner Prizes event

Judy Woodruff, PBS senior correspondent, speaks with fellow guests at the reception.

Steven Portnoy, Maxwell School student Madison Camp-Lane and Toner Program co-founder Peter Gosselin

Steven Portnoy ’03 (left), national correspondent for ABC News Radio, Maxwell School student Madison Camp-Lane and Toner Program co-founder Peter Gosselin speak before the Toner Prizes event.

Chris Licht ’03, former CEO of CNN Global, listens to remarks.

Syracuse University alumni, faculty and staff at the 2025 Toner Prizes. — Beverly Kirk (left), Newhouse DC; Rob Lewis ’84, senior director of multi-format production, Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal; Eva McKend G’12, national politics correspondent, CNN; Tyrone Woodyard, vice president, corporate communications, Lockheed Martin; Debra Adams-Simmons ’86, editor in chief, special projects, GBH Public Media; Kristen Canada G’14, coordinating producer, ABC News; and Jason Poles ’98, executive director, regional advancement Mid-Atlantic, Syracuse University.

ABC News Radio's Steven Portnoy '03 gives an interview to a Newhouse student after the 2025 Toner Prizes event — Steven Portnoy ’03 gives an interview to Newhouse student Niah Edwards. (Photo by Genaro C. Armas)

Margaret Talev at the 2025 Toner Prizes event — Steven Portnoy ’03 gives an interview to Newhouse student Niah Edwards. (Photo by Genaro C. Armas)

Ruth Chen, Chancellor Kent Syverud, Peter Gosselin, Larry Kramer, Cathy Daicoff and Mark Lodato

Professor of Practice Ruth Chen (left), Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, Peter Gosselin, Larry Kramer ’72, Myla Lerner ’73 and Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato at the 2025 Toner Prizes event.

Knight Foundation president and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadworth and Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato greet a Newhouse student

Maribel Pérez Wadsworth (center) and Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato greet Newhouse student Anjana Dasam.

Toner Program co-founder Peter Gosselin at the 2025 Toner Prizes event — Toner Program co-founder Peter Gosselin speaks at the 2025 Toner Prizes event.

Syracuse University student volunteers at the 2025 Toner Prizes event — The Newhouse School thanks student volunteers from the Newhouse and Maxwell schools for helping to put on a successful event.

Honorees

Reuters: Winner, Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato and journalists from Reuters at the 2025 Toner Prizes

Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato (left), and Reuters journalists Ned Parker G’98, Aram Roston, Peter Eisler, Joseph Tanfani and Jason Szep.

Politico: Honorable Mention, Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato with journalists from Politico at the 2025 Toner Prizes

Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato (left) and Politico journalists Zack Colman, Kelsey Tamborrino and Benjamin Storrow.

NJ Advance Media: Winner, Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato and NJ Advance Media journalists at the 2025 Toner Prizes event

Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato (left) and NJ Advance Media journalists Spencer Kent and Riley Yates.

Learn more about the Robin Toner Program in Political Reporting.