Don Merrill
Verified- Journalist, Freelance
- News and Public Affairs Producer, KBOO-FM (Portland, OR)
Awards
Army Achievement Award
1982 - Broadcast Journalism
For meritorious service as a reporter while assigned to the Electronic News Gathering section, Network News Center, American Forces Korea Network, during the period March 1982 to May 1982. Specialist Merrill contributed immeasurably to the news organization of AFKN by providing field coverage of Team Spirit 82 and visits by the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Vice President of the United States to the Republic of Korea during this period. Specialist Merrill's meritorious performance of duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon him, this command the the United States Army.
Keith L Ware Award
1984 - Broadcast Journalism
First runner up for a three-part series, shot by SSG Raul Cantu and edited and reported by SSG Don Merrill. The series focused on the 4/325th Airborne Batallion Combat Team training, based in Caserma Ederle, IT, in Sardinia for military exercise "Distant Hammer." The Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition recognizes Soldiers and Department of the Army civilian employees for excellence in achieving the objectives of the Army Public Affairs Program. On behalf of the Secretary of the Army, the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs conducts the competition annually in order to recognize, cultivate and inspire excellence within the Army public affairs community.
Philo T Farnsworth Award
1992 - Television Production
A three minute promo, produced by Don Merrill for Waycross Community Television in Forest Park, OH, called "We Build Community." The award is named after Philo T. Farnsworth, the father of modern television. Philo was born August 19, 1906 on a farm near Beaver City, Utah. As a youth in 1922, Philo first revealed his scientific ideas for an all-electric television system. He later established an electronics laboratory in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he succeeded in turning his dreams into reality by inventing the first receiving tube for television transmissions. It is fitting that the ACM Central States Region honors the memory of Philo T. Farnsworth by recognizing the efforts of modern day pioneers who work to further develop the use of this technology and promote the use of media in our communities. The “PHILO” is awarded as recognition of excellence in media creation.
Clarence R Skinner Award
2001 - Sermon
For his lay sermon - "Two Semiotic Vignettes," which expresses the social principles of Unitarian Universalism. "Two Semiotic Vignettes," by Don Merrill was a passionate and impromptu response to the dragging death of James Byrd Jr. by three white supremacists in Jasper, Texas, on June 7, 1998. Open to any Unitarian Universalist layperson, religious educator, or minister, the Skinner Sermon award was established to stimulate preaching concerned with the social implications of religion—particularly needed in this period of history. Criteria employed in judging the sermons include: grasp of the subject, religious depth, originality, conviction, and understanding of other perspectives. These qualities are also considered: prophecy and timeliness, courage, personal involvement, strong argument, orientation to action, and inspiration.
Fertile Ground Award
2021 - Theater
The Fertile Ground Award is given annually by the Portland Area Theater Association for work that is socially relevant. Don received the award for his play, called "PLEDGE: the Public Radio Fund Drive", which was featured during the 2021 Fertile Ground Online Festival. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 festival was virtual only. Don auditioned, cast and directed 13 actors across 9 states via Zoom, and then, edited the show for its two-hour debut. The story revolves around a diverse public radio station, the fictional KKAR, operated by a small, conservative college in Arkansas. The station faces a number of financial, technical, social, moral and political issues. Run by the first Latina station manager in the Public Radio Network (PRN), and facing a critical pledge drive, the staff must pull together to succeed. The play was based on his 2019 analysis of the state of public radio which he turned into a book, called "PLEDGE: The Public Radio Fund Drive." He is working on a musical version, called "PLEDGE: The Musical."
NW Examiner Newspaper Award
2023 - Peace & Justice
One of several award categories established by Portland's NW Examiner newspaper as a way to recognize individuals and organization working to improve life in Portland. The NW Examiner has given out these awards for many years. The Peace & Justice award was given for Don's work establishing and managing his non-profit, called CNBSeen. It exists to reduce the number of potentially deadly interactions between police and drivers by replacing burnt out lights on personal vehicles for free.