Awards
In 2005, Connie Schultz won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. It was the first Pulitzer for The Plain Dealer since 1953. Schultz announced a self-imposed sabbatical from her column in February 2006, to work on her husband Congressman Sherrod Brown's (successful) run for U.S. Senate. Schultz returned to print in January, 2007, but resigned on September 19, 2011.
In 2008 and again in 2009, columnist Regina Brett was a Pulitzer finalist for commentary.
Other recent awards have included a "2003 Editor of the Year" honor for Doug Clifton, given by Editor & Publisher, the industry newsletter. E&P cited Clifton's efforts to energize The Plain Dealer's reporters and newsroom as quick and extremely successful; they had been languishing for years beforehand.
Between 2001 and 2010, The Plain Dealer's photography staff was named Staff of the Year ten consecutive times by the Ohio News Photographer's Association.
The Plain Dealer has been a consistent top-ten finisher in the Society for News Design annual "Best of Newspaper Design" competition.
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