Journalism professor awarded Budig Teaching Professorship

LAWRENCE — Jerry Crawford, University of Kansas associate professor of journalism, is the recipient of the 2020 Gretchen and Gene Budig Teaching Professorship.

The Budig Professorship Award recognizes outstanding faculty instruction, and recipients are asked to deliver a formal lecture. Crawford’s lecture was scheduled for this spring at the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, but because campus activities have been closed as a response to COVID-19, he has recorded his lecture, “Students and Writing: Meeting Them Where They Are – and Where They Can Go!” The lecture can be viewed on the School of Journalism’s YouTube Channel.

In his presentation, Crawford shares how he teaches students how to learn to write and inspires them to enjoy writing.

“Writing can be the cornerstone in communication,” Crawford said.  “It allows us all to share our thoughts and bind communities and the world together in both fiction and nonfiction universes. Technology will never be able to compete with the wonders of imagination.”

Crawford teaches courses in ethics, multimedia reporting, advanced reporting, producing and audio/visual documentary. His research focuses on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their units of journalism and mass communication.

“The School of Journalism & Mass Communications at KU has a longstanding reputation for excellence in teaching writing,” Dean Ann Brill said. “This lecture series reflects that foundation for Jayhawk journalists. We are proud of the work that Dr. Crawford and other faculty do to help our students become better writers.”

Crawford’s other teaching awards include the 2018 Mortar Board Award, University of Kansas Torch Chapter; the 2014 John Katich Award for Creativity from the School of Journalism; and the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award from the KU Center for Teaching Excellence.

Crawford received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in special education technology from Virginia State University and a doctorate from Howard University.

The Budig professorships and lecture series were established in 1994 by Budig and his wife, Gretchen. Budig was named KU’s 14th chancellor in 1981. During his 13-year tenure, more than 180 faculty positions were established. Budig Hall is named in his honor.

Updated on: 04/01/2020