Melissa Mixon, staff writer and public affairs representative for the Cockrell School of Engineering, was selected for a Barbara Jordan Media Award by the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities for her story titled "Defined by His Successes Not His Limitations." Mixon wrote the profile about Edgar Jimenez, an undergraduate in mechanical engineering who has muscular dystrophy, and graduated in December with highest honors and a near-perfect grade point average.
Award winners in each of the categories were chosen by a panel of judges, including journalists, professionals in the field of disabilities and people with disabilities. Mixon won the award for the Internet category. Winners represented such media outlets as Time magazine, Texas Monthly, HBO and several daily Texas newspapers.
"We were very excited to find out that Melissa's story received this award," said Maria Arrellaga, director of communications for the Cockrell School. "It is a great testament to her ability as a storyteller and to the amazing accomplishments that Edgar has made in his life. We are very proud of both of them."
The winners will be honored at the Barbara Jordan Media Awards Ceremony reception and dinner Saturday, April 16, at 6 p.m. at San Jacinto Hall. The event is hosted by the university's Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and is open to the public by reservation. Dean Max Sherman, professor emeritus of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, will serve as the keynote speaker. Local author, humorist and public speaker Mary Gordon Spence will serve as emcee.
For more information on the awards ceremony, contact Jo Virgil, community outreach and information specialist for the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, at
