Rick Bragg, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist who works for the New York Times, said Friday that if he could have one wish granted, it would be for more time in the day.

Still, Bragg managed to take time out of his schedule as a &uot;roving correspondent&uot; for one of the most highly-respected newspapers in the nation to accept the Hall-Waters Southern Prize at Troy State University Friday.

In a ceremony at Sartain Hall, Bragg spoke to a crowd of approximately 100 students, faculty and members of the public. Wrapping his brief remarks in humility and graciousness, Bragg thanked the crowd and Union Springs author Wade Hall, who was on hand to award the prize.

Though most of his news stories have focused on sadness and human misery, Bragg kept his comments on the light side, remarking on the ceremony's setting in Troy State's basketball gym, &uot;This may be the first time that anybody from Jacksonville State has ever won anything in this building.&uot;

Bragg authored a best-selling memoir about his life growing up in rural Alabama, &uot;All Over But the Shoutin',&uot; and has a new book out about his heritage called &uot;Ava's Man.&uot;

TSU also honored several student writers with awards at the ceremony, which coincided with the university's annual writing festival.