David Kurpius
Dean of Journalism
Doctoral Faculty, Journalism Studies
Professor120 Neff Hall
Missouri School of Journalism
Columbia, MO 65211-1200
With a unique background that spans professional journalism, scholarship and educational leadership, DAVID D. KURPIUS has led the Missouri School of Journalism since July 2015. During his first year at Missouri, he launched a sweeping strategic planning initiative that is guiding the future of the School’s organizational structure, curriculum, and real-world newsroom and agency laboratories.
Prior to earning his doctorate, Kurpius spent 10 years in television news. As a scholar and educator, his research topics includehow journalism educators can effectively teach the connections between media and democracy and how to build newsrooms that focus on civic responsibility.
Before coming to the School, Kurpius was a professor and administrator at Louisiana State University for almost 20 years. As a professor, he oversaw LSU’s student media and taught courses in advanced newsgathering, public affairs reporting and minorities in journalism. As associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, he led recruitment strategies to dramatically increase the diversity of LSU’s student body.
Kurpius received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication from Indiana University and a master’s and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Wisconsin.
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2021
- Apr 08, 2021 Shelly Rodgers Named Maxine Wilson Gregory Chair in Journalism Research
- Apr 08, 2021 Missouri School of Journalism professor awarded 2021 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
- Apr 05, 2021 Missouri Journalism School Professor Shelly Rodgers receives two prestigious awards for excellence in research and teaching
- Mar 26, 2021 School of Journalism Associate Professor Ryan Thomas awarded the MU Faculty Council Shared Governance award
- Feb 19, 2021 Missouri Journalism School Professor Emeritus Glen T. Cameron receives national award for excellence in research
- Feb 12, 2021 Brett Dawson to lead Columbia Missourian sports coverage
- Feb 04, 2021 School of Journalism curriculum overhaul continues apace despite COVID
- Jan 29, 2021 NewsPro names Associate Professor Sara Shipley Hiles a 2021 Noteworthy Journalism Educator
- Jan 05, 2021 Jeimmie Nevalga named news director at KOMU-TV
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2020
- Dec 04, 2020 Missouri School of Journalism to recognize 105 students for December commencement
- Nov 24, 2020 Journalism Associate Professor Cristina Mislán awarded the 2020 Provost’s Award for University Citizenship in Faculty Service
- Nov 24, 2020 Journalism Associate Professor Robert Greene awarded the 2020 Provost Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award
- Nov 24, 2020 Journalism Professor David Herzog awarded the 2020 Provost's Award for Leadership in International Education
- Nov 23, 2020 Missouri School of Journalism's 'Missouri Method' going strong during 2020 general election
- Nov 16, 2020 Missouri School of Journalism to receive a $2.5 million estate gift for unrestricted newsroom support
- Nov 13, 2020 Journalism Associate Professor Amy Simons awarded a Reynolds Faculty Fellowship
- Oct 21, 2020 KBIA-FM takes home first 'Overall Excellence in Small Market Radio' in National Edward R. Murrow Award wins
- Sep 14, 2020 The Missouri School of Journalism celebrates 112 years of excellence with newly-formed endowment to support the Missouri Method
- Aug 26, 2020 Missouri Business Alert, School of Journalism announce $3 million gift
- Jul 13, 2020 Missouri School of Journalism Professor Shelly Rodgers receives UM System President's Award for Sustained Career Excellence
- Jun 25, 2020 11th Hour Project awards $1.1 million, 3-year grant to the Journalism School's fellowship program Watchdog Writers Group
- Jun 02, 2020 Missouri School of Journalism launches summer pop-up newsroom staffed by 11 current journalism students and recent graduates
- May 21, 2020 Professor Shuhua Zhou named Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media
- May 08, 2020 The Missouri School of Journalism joining Mizzou's Class of 2020 social media celebration
- Apr 24, 2020 Three Journalism School alumni honored as 2020 recipients of the Jefferson Club Golden Quill award
- Mar 04, 2020 Six Journalism seniors selected for Mizzou '39
- Feb 28, 2020 School to welcome 1,200-plus high school students to campus for J-Day
- Feb 19, 2020 Five Journalism faculty awarded Reynolds Faculty Fellowships
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2019
- Dec 04, 2019 Missouri Method modernizes with journalism school curriculum overhaul
- Oct 30, 2019 Associate Professor Elizabeth Brixey awarded the 2019 Maxine Christopher Shutz Award and Lecture for Distinguished Teaching
- Oct 11, 2019 Professor Barbara Cochran awarded the 2019 International Matrix Award from the Association for Women in Communications
- Sep 10, 2019 Missouri School of Journalism Kicks Off New Founder's Day Tradition of Giving
- Jul 24, 2019 Missouri Journalism Faculty, Graduate Students and Alumni to Present More Than 60 Papers at AEJMC Conference
- Jul 24, 2019 Missouri School of Journalism Launches New Investigative Fellowship Program To Support Authors
- May 16, 2019 Top Investigative Reporter to Lead Missouri School of Journalism's Washington Program
- May 13, 2019 LaDora Rogers Named Recipient of the School of Journalism Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
- May 03, 2019 Professor Suzette Heiman Named 2019 MJEA Friend of Scholastic Journalism
- Apr 30, 2019 Journalists, Legal Experts Wrangle with the First Amendment and Social Media
- Apr 18, 2019 Professor Emeritus receives distinguished service to broadcast journalism award
- Apr 16, 2019 Journalism Professor named Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Advertising
- Mar 29, 2019 Pete Ozias Wins University of Missouri 2019 March Service Champion Award
- Mar 28, 2019 SEC Honors Strategic Communication Professor Shelly Rodgers with Faculty Achievement Award
- Mar 22, 2019 6 Missouri Journalism Professors Awarded Hearst Faculty Fellowships
- Mar 05, 2019 Missouri's Scholastic Journalism Programs to Be Recognized on March 9
- Jan 28, 2019 NewsPro names Associate Professor Mark Horvit a 2019 Noteworthy Journalism Educator
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2018
- Aug 15, 2018 New York Film Screening and Panel Discussion Focuses on the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press
- Jul 20, 2018 Top Awards and Numerous Paper Presentations Among Missouri's Highlights at Upcoming Academic Conference
- Jul 11, 2018 ESPN veteran Michael Knisley to lead Columbia Missourian sports coverage
- Jun 27, 2018 Four Journalism Faculty Awarded Hearst Fellowship Grants
- Jun 22, 2018 KBIA-FM, KOMU-TV Win National Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Jun 14, 2018 Damon Kiesow Named Knight Chair in Digital Editing and Producing
- Jun 04, 2018 Shuhua Zhou Named the Leonard H. Goldenson Endowed Chair in Radio and Television Journalism
- Jun 01, 2018 Ruby Bailey Named Missouri Community Newspaper Management Chair
- May 31, 2018 Kathy Kiely Named the Lee Hills Chair in Free-Press Studies
- May 10, 2018 Ernest Zhang Named Recipient of the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
- Apr 06, 2018 Journalists, Legal Experts Acknowledge Challenges of Truth, Trust and the First Amendment in Trump Era
- Mar 19, 2018 Missouri School of Journalism Professor Shelly Rodgers awarded 2018 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
- Jan 19, 2018 Four Journalism Faculty Awarded Reynolds Faculty Fellowships
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2017
- Oct 24, 2017 Missouri School of Journalism Honors 50 Freshmen as 2017 Walter Williams Scholars
- Oct 10, 2017 KOMU-TV, KBIA-FM Win 4 National Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Sep 15, 2017 David Novak, Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, CEO of Yum! Brands Gives $21.6 Million to MU School of Journalism
- Aug 18, 2017 Missouri School of Journalism Hosts Alumni Reception at National Association of Black Journalists Convention in New Orleans
- Aug 02, 2017 Missouri Journalism Faculty, Graduate Students and Alumni to Present More than 80 Papers at AEJMC Conference
- May 31, 2017 Big Data and Sports, Missouri Reception: School to Host 2 Sessions at AEJMC in Chicago
- May 24, 2017 Dean Kurpius Welcomes New Chancellor to Campus
- May 24, 2017 Elizabeth Brixey Wins the McIntyre Professorship for Teaching Excellence
- May 18, 2017 Cheryl Spang Named Recipient of the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
- May 16, 2017 J-Cool Event to Promote an Identity of Inclusivity and Respect at Mizzou and Beyond
- May 10, 2017 Surprise 90th Birthday Party for Betty Dukert, BJ '49
- May 05, 2017 Journalism Is the 'Business of Democracy,' Notes Jim Lehrer, BJ '56, During Campus Visit
- May 03, 2017 Missouri School of Journalism Earns National Accreditation
- Apr 14, 2017 Associate Professor Berkley Hudson Receives President's Award for Service
- Mar 21, 2017 Professor Stacey Woelfel Awarded Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
- Mar 13, 2017 BBC Radio Visits with Dean Kurpius About Challenges Facing Journalists
- Mar 09, 2017 Missouri School of Journalism Sees Opportunities for a New Golden Age for Journalism's Role in Society, Democracy
- Mar 06, 2017 Support the Journalism School on Mizzou Giving Day
- Feb 27, 2017 School to Host National Summer Journalism Camp for High School Students
- Feb 21, 2017 Shawn Wallace Wins Campus Advising Shout Out Award
- Jan 25, 2017 NewsPro Names Kent Collins as a 'Journalism Educator Who Made the Grade'
- Jan 12, 2017 J-School Strategic Plan to Be Unveiled Jan. 27
- Jan 09, 2017 Tom Warhover Steps Down as Executive Editor of the Columbia Missourian
- Jan 05, 2017 New Partnership to Strengthen Science, Health, Environmental Journalism Announced
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2016
- Dec 20, 2016 State Winners of Campaign About Dangers of Distracted Driving Recognized at School
- Dec 08, 2016 Missouri Journalism Reception Planned in Houston on Thursday, Jan. 19
- Dec 01, 2016 New Leadership Giving Program Encourages Alumni Support, Engagement
- Nov 16, 2016 Update on J-School Strategic Planning
- Oct 24, 2016 Tribute to Former Professor Dave Dugan to Be Held Saturday, Oct. 29
- Sep 27, 2016 Leaders' Day Prepares High School Journalists for Editorial Excellence
- Sep 22, 2016 Joe Collins Named MU September Service Champion
- Sep 22, 2016 Alfred Friendly Fellowship Program Formalizes Partnership with School
- Sep 14, 2016 School to Host Open House During MU's Family Weekend
- Sep 07, 2016 Strategic Planning: 'Coming Together'
- Aug 25, 2016 School Announces New, Unique Approach to Tackling Industry Diversity Levels
- Jul 29, 2016 Strategic Planning: Moving Toward Priority-Setting
- Jul 25, 2016 Faculty, Students, Alumni to Present Almost 90 Papers at Global Conference
- Jul 20, 2016 7 Missouri Journalism Faculty Members Promoted
- Jul 12, 2016 Again: Missouri Students, Faculty, Staff Celebrate 560-Plus Annual Awards and Honors
- Jun 15, 2016 KOMU-TV, KBIA-FM Earn 10 Awards from Missouri Broadcasters Association
- May 16, 2016 Nancy Stockett Receives the Amy Lenk Staff Excellence Award
- May 05, 2016 Strategic Planning Leadership Team Update
- May 05, 2016 An Interviewing Tool for the Apple Watch Wins RJI Student Competition
- Apr 06, 2016 Dean Kurpius Holds Twitter Q&A
- Apr 05, 2016 Journalism Professor Awarded 2016 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
- Apr 05, 2016 School Announces Members of New Strategic Planning Leadership Team
- Mar 28, 2016 Missouri-Hurley Symposium Offers Insights into Diversity, First Amendment
- Mar 24, 2016 Mark Horvit to Lead School's State Government Reporting Program
- Mar 22, 2016 Earnest Perry Named New Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
- Mar 21, 2016 Convergence Journalism Professor Honored for Promoting Equality
- Mar 17, 2016 Tim Tai Accepts First Amendment Defender Award at DC Banquet
- Mar 11, 2016 Missouri Alumni in Hong Kong Welcome Dean David Kurpius
- Mar 10, 2016 Dear J-School
- Mar 01, 2016 DC Symposium to Explore Diversity, Inclusion, First Amendment
- Feb 01, 2016 New Series of Workshops on Inclusiveness to Start in February
- Jan 12, 2016 School and Marketing Agency VML Partner to Create New Social Media Curriculum for Students
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2015
- Dec 22, 2015 Missouri School of Journalism Voted No. 1 in Annual NewsPro-RTDNA Poll
- Dec 10, 2015 Spong PR in Minneapolis Hosts Missouri Journalism Reception
- Dec 07, 2015 Dean David Kurpius Meets with Missouri Journalism Alumni, Friends in Chicago
- Nov 11, 2015 Letter from Dean David Kurpius Shares School's Response to Campus Events
- Nov 10, 2015 Dean David Kurpius Comments on Student's Coverage of Protest on Carnahan Quad
- Nov 06, 2015 Edelman to Host Nov. 18 Journalism Alumni Reception in Chicago
- Oct 05, 2015 'It's All About the Students,' Dean David Kurpius Tells St. Louis Alumni
- Sep 28, 2015 Online News Association Awards KBIA-FM Its Top Award for Excellence
- Sep 02, 2015 St. Louis Alumni, Friends to Welcome New Dean at Sept. 9 Reception
- Aug 25, 2015 Journalism Alumnus John Lesser Honored with Tribute Bench
- Aug 19, 2015 Alumni, Faculty Connect at School-Sponsored Reception in San Francisco
- Aug 06, 2015 San Francisco Alumni Host Reception for New Missouri Journalism Dean
- Jul 30, 2015 Kansas City-Area Alumni Welcome School's New Dean
- Jul 22, 2015 San Francisco-Area Alumni to Welcome School's New Dean at Aug. 4 Reception
- Jul 09, 2015 KC-Area Alumni to Welcome School's New Dean at July 23 Reception
- Apr 02, 2015 New Missouri School of Journalism Dean Announced
- Feb 02, 2015 4 Finalists for Dean's Position Announced
Updated: February 6, 2020