The Missouri School of Journalism has announced the recipients of its 2025 annual awards for teaching and staff excellence. Professor Jon Stemmle has been awarded the prestigious O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence, and Colleen Cutts, Scholarship & Finance Coordinator, has received the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award.

Both awards were presented during the School’s monthly faculty meeting in May.

O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence

The O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates long-term teaching excellence, a national or international reputation, and meaningful service to both the Missouri School of Journalism and Mizzou.

This year’s honoree, Professor Jon Stemmle, exemplifies these criteria through his broad and impactful contributions to journalism education. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels in both traditional and online formats, with particular excellence in online instruction. Over the years, Stemmle has launched new courses, expanded the School’s national reputation, and supported student success through club formation and leadership.

Student work under Stemmle’s guidance has received recognition at the local, regional, and national levels. He is also a campus leader in the integration of artificial intelligence into journalism education, having authored works on the subject and championed interdisciplinary collaboration and grant opportunities. Known as a generous mentor and peer collaborator, Stemmle has had a remarkable impact on faculty and students alike.

“Although I’ve only been with the University for a short time, I’ve already felt and seen his remarkable impact,” said one nominator. “He’s an amazing mentor and sounding board, whose excellence is evident both inside and outside the classroom.”

Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award

Established in honor of longtime staff member Amy Lenk, this award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates exceptional professionalism, initiative, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation and service. The award is supported by the Hogle School of Journalism Endowment Fund.

Cutts was praised by colleagues as a transformational leader and effective communicator who “exemplifies adaptability—not just by responding to change, but by leading it.” Nominators described her as a clear communicator and active listener whose “natural curiosity, sharp intellect and calm, solutions-oriented mindset make her an invaluable asset.”

Her work spans all levels of the School—students, staff, faculty, and administrators—and she is known for building meaningful relationships that drive collective success. In her role overseeing scholarships, Cutts has helped transform the program into a model of fairness, integrity and collaboration.

“She is deeply aligned with the mission of the Missouri School of Journalism—not only in her work, but in her values and daily interactions,” a nominator said. “Her leadership ensures that our scholarship program not only honors student achievement, but also strengthens our shared sense of purpose.”

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Past Winners of the O.O. McIntyre Professorship

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Past Winners of the Amy Lenk Award

Updated: May 14, 2025

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• 2023
  • Jun 05, 2023 Johnston and McCollum honored with O.O. McIntyre and Amy Lenk Awards from Missouri School of Journalism
• 2021
  • May 14, 2021 Lamar Henderson receives the School of Journalism Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2018
  • May 10, 2018 Ernest Zhang Named Recipient of the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2017
  • May 18, 2017 Cheryl Spang Named Recipient of the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2016
  • May 17, 2016 Jennifer Rowe Wins the O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
  • May 16, 2016 Nancy Stockett Receives the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2013
  • May 13, 2013 John Schneller Wins $10,000 O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
• 2012
  • May 14, 2012 Mary Kay Blakely Named 2012 O.O. McIntyre Professor for Teaching Excellence
  • May 14, 2012 Columbia Missourian Newsroom Administrator Cheri Cherry Receives Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2011
  • Aug 04, 2011 Jackie Bell Named O.O. McIntyre Professor for 2011
• 2009
  • Jun 01, 2009 Amy Lenk, Longtime Graduate Adviser, Retires
  • May 29, 2009 Betty Houchin Winfield Wins $10,000 O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
  • May 07, 2009 Nina Johnson Named Recipient of the 2009 Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award