Earnest Perry wins esteemed honors for teaching and service at Missouri School of Journalism
COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 6, 2023) — Earnest Perry, associate dean for graduate studies and research at the Missouri School of Journalism, has earned two prestigious honors recognizing his contributions to the university.
The Mizzou Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award, one of the annual Faculty and Alumni Awards, recognizes his accomplishments in harnessing the faculty-alumni relationship to promote the best interests of the university. The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching honors his exceptional teaching, advising and other support for student achievement.
“As the best in his field, Earnest pioneered the development of our cross-cultural course into a national model,” said David Kurpius, dean of the School of Journalism. “No other university in the country has a required course of this depth and quality. The impact of his work on students and the university has a lasting effect.”
Perry has served as a faculty member at the School for 20 years, beginning as an associate professor in 2003. Before that, he worked as a city editor at the Columbia Missourian, the School’s community newspaper, while earning his master’s degree and doctorate from the School. He earned the esteemed William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence in 2016.
A leading scholar on Black press history and media management, he has used his high standing in the field not only to give voices to underrepresented communities and unearth the historical perspectives of Black publishers, but to help his students embark on successful careers.
As the best in his field, Earnest pioneered the development of our cross-cultural course into a national model. No other university in the country has a required course of this depth and quality. The impact of his work on students and the university has a lasting effect.
David Kurpius, dean of the School of Journalism
“His ability to help place Ph.D. students in competitive programs is partly due to his national reputation,” said Associate Professor Cristina Mislán, who noted that Perry was an important mentor to her when she arrived at Mizzou. “In fact, when my Ph.D. students are on the market for academic positions, I often encourage them to consult with Dean Perry.”
Yet, as a prolific mentor and advisor, Perry can’t help but credit those who have helped him along the way.
“It’s an honor, but I have to acknowledge that I didn’t do it alone,” Perry said. “There were many other people who influenced my teaching and helped guide me along the way. It was a collective effort, and I share these awards with those who helped me to get there.”
He added that the support he received from a wide range of colleagues and former students who supported his nominations for these awards is itself evidence of a collaborative, mutually supportive environment at the School of Journalism.
“We have fostered a culture here at the J-School that ensures the faculty and staff who work very hard on a daily basis, helping our students obtain an education and launch their careers, are honored for what they do,” he said. “The people who went through the effort to nominate me for this award because they believe I’m worthy of it — they’re part of it.”
Perry’s is the 64th annual Distinguished Faculty Award, part of the Faculty and Alumni Awards program first celebrated in 1968. Through the program, the Mizzou Alumni Association highlights the contributions of exceptional individuals to the University’s growth and core mission via their professional accomplishments, teaching and research excellence or service to the institution.
The Governor’s Award for Excellence in teaching, awarded since 1992, is a statewide honor conferred to one outstanding faculty member at each participating higher education institution in Missouri. School of Journalism faculty members have now earned this distinction in three of the last four years.
Updated: July 6, 2023