Elizabeth Frogge and Robin Nichols honored with O.O. McIntyre and Amy Lenk Awards from Missouri School of Journalism

The Missouri School of Journalism has announced the recipients of its 2026 annual awards for teaching and staff excellence. Professor Elizabeth Frogge has been awarded the prestigious O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence, and Robin Nichols, Events 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 Elizabeth Frogge, exemplifies the ideals of teaching excellence, professional dedication, and selfless service. A Missouri School of Journalism alumna who earned her broadcast journalism degree in 1999, Frogge returned to her alma mater in 2010 and has since become a cornerstone of the School’s broadcast program. She currently serves as assistant news director at KOMU-TV, where she helps lead the newsroom’s editorial decisions and daily operations, while also teaching TV Reporting 2.

Frogge challenges students to reach beyond what is expected while modeling the same standard of excellence she demands of them. She tells all KOMU 8 students she is available every day starting at 6 a.m. — and she is. Earlier this semester, she traveled to the scene of a shooting on a Saturday because a student reporter had never done a live shot before and she wanted to make sure they were supported.

Under her leadership, television students have placed in the Hearst Journalism competition consistently across multiple years. Last year, Nathan Lee won the competition outright, and this year TV students have already claimed the top two spots in the features category.

“These are not lucky outcomes,” one nominator said. “They are the product of an educator who invests deeply in students’ growth and refuses to settle for anything less than their best work.”

Frogge also helped redesign the broadcast curriculum in 2021, co-founded the School’s student chapter of the Association for Women in Sports Media, and has served as chair of the School’s awards committee — working to ensure her colleagues are recognized for their contributions while never seeking the spotlight for herself.

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.

Robin Nichols, events coordinator, has earned a reputation as a self-starter who spots opportunities for improvement and acts on them, often before anyone else has noticed the problem. Colleagues describe her as a proactive, practical problem solver who rarely lets a challenge become a crisis.

Nichols is known for being genuinely warm and welcoming to every person she encounters — whether students, staff, faculty, or visitors — creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Colleagues across the School and RJI trust her deeply, and more and more people are proactively seeking her out for advice and guidance on events they have never planned before.

“Her contributions to the Missouri School of Journalism are wide-ranging and lasting,” a nominator said. “She has raised the bar on event quality year after year, from flagship occasions like the Missouri Honor Medal and commencement ceremonies to national conference receptions at NABJ and AEJMC that strengthen the School’s reputation on a broader stage.”

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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 11, 2026

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• 2025
  • May 14, 2025 Jon Stemmle and Colleen Cutts honored with O.O. McIntyre and Amy Lenk Awards from Missouri School of Journalism
• 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
• 2019
  • May 13, 2019 LaDora Rogers Named Recipient of the School of Journalism Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
• 2015
  • May 21, 2015 Earnest Perry Wins the O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
• 2011
  • Aug 04, 2011 Jackie Bell Named O.O. McIntyre Professor for 2011
• 2009
  • May 29, 2009 Betty Houchin Winfield Wins $10,000 O.O. McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
• 2008
  • May 28, 2008 Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Wins $10,000 O.O. McIntyre Professorship