TROY , AL – Troy University ’s Hall School of Journalism and the Journalism Alumni Association recognized four outstanding alumni at the annual journalism banquet held recently.

The awards were given in the categories of print journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations and the journalism outstanding service award.

Tommy Hicks was recognized in the print journalism category. Hicks is currently a sports writer and columnist for the Mobile Register. He has been employed by The Montgomery Advertiser, the Anniston Star and his hometown newspaper The Phenix Citizen.

The outstanding alumni award in broadcast journalism was given to Chris Cato. Cato, a native of Oneonta, currently anchors the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts for WMBB in Panama City , Fla. Cato has been awarded Associated Press awards for Best Long Serious Feature (1992) and Best Spot News (1993).

Danielle Frye, a Pell City native, was awarded the outstanding alumni award for public relations. Frye currently is a member of the NASCAR Nextel Cup broadcast team for the Motor Racing Network (MRN). She began her career as promotions director for Racing for Kids magazine, as well as the publication Winston Cup Scene. Frye has also served as associate producer for Darrell Waltrip’s Racing Weekly and Rusty Wallace’s Win and has handled public and media relations for drivers Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett.  Prior to joining MRN, Frye served as senior manager of communications for NASCAR, working closely with executives and officials of the organization’s sanctioning body, as well as with drivers, teams and sponsors.

The journalism outstanding service award was given to Terry Wilhite. He is the director of marketing, communications and public relations for Pioneer Electric in Greenville , Ala. He also hosts “Alabama Living News You Can Use,” which airs on WAKA and WNCF in Montgomery . In the last 12 months, Wilhite’s videography has been broadcast on four national networks, which have used the footage to raise thousands of dollars to help the people in the co-op’s service area who live in poverty conditions. He writes the Pioneer Electric section for the monthly Alabama Living Magazine and has earned numerous honors for his writing, layout and photography.