Mindy McAdams, journalism professor at the University of Florida

Megan is a rare student journalist who embraces everything online - including code and scripting - with fervent enthusiasm. Her blog (SOJo: Student of Online Journalism) is widely read by professionals as well as by other students. Unlike the majority of journalism students, who can't do much online besides Facebook and IM, Megan has mastered audio, video, mapping, databases, and all the other "hardcore" online journalism skills that are so much in demand in today's job market. She has done this with hard work on her own time, especially through her work at the student-run daily newspaper here at UF. Megan is the model of a journalist who approaches new techniques for storytelling with curiosity and a positive attitude - our newsrooms need a lot more like her.

Patricia Carey, general manager of Campus Communication, Inc.

I have had the pleasure of working with Megan Taylor while she served as Online Editor for The Independent Florida Alligator for two semesters. She has been extremely diligent in making our online presence distinctive and innovative. Megan was instrumental in creating a link between the print side staff and the online staff – this had never been accomplished here before. She understands the importance and is passionate about New Media. Megan took the fear and apprehension out of the equation when communicating with others about online and made it more “human.”

Ken Schwencke, managing editor for online for the Independent Florida Alligator

With twitter in one window and Google Reader in another, she's constantly keeping abreast of all of the information in the field right now -- her del.icio.us account is a testament to that. What's more, she is unabashedly irreverent when it comes to entrenched newsroom culture. During a budget meeting, you could almost see the anger shoot across her face every time an editor said the word "inches;" hearing her argue for posting news online before 1am (when production finally gets the front page to the poor online team), or -- *gasp* as it's happening -- was like a sermon on the tenants of online news in and of itself.

Gainesville Explorer is a collection of stories, multimedia and maps showcasing places to go in Gainesville as well as day-trip locations. Megan drove the creation of this weekly feature.

The Union Street Farmers' Market is about more than fresh, local food. It's about people.

If it seems as though there are a lot more bearded, PBR-chugging 20-somethings in tight jeans roaming Gainesville today than usual, it's not your imagination. The sixth annual Fest is upon us.

The Gator Party, to no one's surprise, took 44 of the 45 Student Senate seats it slated in the fall Student Government election. The Progress Party won one seat, the Hume seat. And the two independent candidates, Kyle Robisch and Marcus Dixon, both lost to the Gator Party.