Astead Herndon, a political reporter at The New York Times and host of "The Run Up" podcast, is set to receive the Distinguished Journalist Award from DePaul University's Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence. Stephanie Wade, an alumna of DePaul from the class of 2016, will be honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award.

The awards will be presented by Center cofounders Carol Marin and Don Moseley, along with Director Lisa Parker, during a luncheon scheduled for April 24.

Herndon's podcast "The Run Up," which launched before the 2022 midterm elections, has been recognized as a finalist for the Toner Prizes and Livingston Awards. It was also included in The Economist's list of best podcasts of 2022. Marin commented on Herndon's capabilities by stating, “Astead is the whole package when it comes to journalism: smart, committed, totally tuned in and above all, willing and able to listen to the many disparate voices that make up our politics and our world.”

Herndon has reported on significant political events such as the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 presidential election for The New York Times. In 2020, he was listed in Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 media list and contributed to a Pulitzer Prize-finalist package by The New York Times in 2021. Reflecting on his award recognition, Herndon said, “I am humbled to receive this award.”

Notable past recipients of the Distinguished Journalist Award include Judy Woodruff from "PBS News Hour," Bill Whitaker from "60 Minutes," Chicago news anchor Ron Magers, Lester Holt from "NBC Nightly News," Jane Pauley from "CBS Sunday Morning," and Dean Baquet from The New York Times.

Stephanie Wade has worked as an investigative reporter in Indianapolis and Toledo before joining ABC7 Chicago in 2021. Expressing her gratitude for receiving the award, Wade stated: “It is a profound honor to be chosen for this award.”

While attending DePaul University, Wade served as vice president of its Society of Professional Journalists chapter and now contributes to the College of Communication Dean’s Advisory Council. Parker recalled her first impression of Wade’s fearless reporting style by saying: “The first time I saw Stephanie reporting, she was jumping out of a plane at the Air and Water show.”