Betty Clapp, a long-time journalism professor for CSU's Levin College of Public Affairs and Education received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) at its August 4 annual meeting and Donald Sabath Awards Event. Professor Clapp, who has taught journalism at the School of Communication for 20 years helped to found The Cleveland Stater student laboratory newspaper in 1999 and served as its faculty advisor for nearly 10 years. She has also served as a faculty advisor to the student chapter of SPJ multiple times. Professor Clapp has mentored hundreds of CSU students who have pursued successful media careers.

In addition to her work at CSU, she served as both the President and a Board Member of the Cleveland Professional Chapter of SPJ. Additional honorees at SPJ's August 4 event included Monica Robins, senior medical reporter at WKYC and medical columnist for the Cleveland Jewish News (Distinguished Alumni Award); Harry Boomer, reporter WOIO SJP (Lifetime Achievement Award); and Jeremiah Al-Jaleel (Philip Porter College Scholarship).