By Jeffrey R. Young

Washington

The Chronicle has given its David W. Miller Award for Young Journalists to Marc Beja, a graduate student at New York University.

Mr. Beja won the award, which includes a $1,000 prize, for three articles he wrote for The Chronicle during his summer internship here. The award committee said Mr. Beja was chosen for his investigative drive, detailed reporting, and strong writing.

"I just like digging through stuff," said Mr. Beja when contacted about the award. "I like the watchdog, muckraking, trouble-making thing." He said he hoped to find a job as an investigative reporter, and is currently applying for internships while he pursues a master's degree in music at NYU (he said he plans to work in both music and journalism).

The three winning articles tackled a variety of issues. "Colleges Use Cheap Loans to Lure Stars to Faculty" uncovered a trend among higher-education institutions of granting low-interest loans as a perk to help recruit and retain star professors.

"Making Friends With Locals Helps Community College Win Referendum" told the story of a community-college district's efforts to persuade voters to support a bond issue that helped it expand to meet growing enrollments.

"For One Day, Professors Get to Teach the Course of Their Dreams" described a for-profit venture that runs daylong educational events taught by moonlighting professors.

The Miller award commemorates David W. Miller, a senior writer at The Chronicle who in 2002, at the age of 35, was killed by a drunken driver.

With the award, The Chronicle seeks to honor Mr. Miller's insistence on responsible journalism, hunger to learn about people and ideas, and talent for writing. The Chronicle also hopes to recognize future generations of reporters who show those qualities. The award is given three times per year to a recent Chronicle intern, based on three articles submitted by the candidate.