Professor Emeritus Brian Brooks received the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association’s 2013 Knight Award.
Brooks received the award on Scholastic Journalism Day on April 10, which is held to welcome high school students and encourage them to study the field in college.
MIPA President Stephanie Green said Brooks earned the award for his accomplishments and work ethic. While at MU, Brooks served as chairman of the journalism school’s editorial department from 1999 to 2003 and associate dean from 2003 to 2012. He was inducted into the Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2009.
He also created a joint master’s program between the College of Education and the School of Journalism that allows high school teachers to gain certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction for English and journalism education at the same time.
“Brian Brooks was selected by the MIPA executive board to receive the 2013 Knight Award in honor of his tireless work in the field of scholastic journalism,” Green said.
Brooks now works part-time at the School of Journalism recruiting potential students and teaching classes.
“I love working with young people and talking to their parents when they come in,” Brooks said. “It’s natural for me to be involved in this sort of thing.”
The Knight Award is named for former journalism professor Robert Knight, who was also MIPA director from 1966-1992. His work for the expansion and support of scholastic journalism was integral to it and its resources nationwide, according to a news release.
MIPA recognizes an individual who has influenced scholastic journalism, according to a School of Journalism news release.
Brooks said the award had a special meaning for him because he knew Knight personally.
“When they presented (the award) to me, it was meaningful because Robert Knight was my news writing teacher when I was in the journalism school,” Brooks said.
Brooks said Knight was a life-long friend until his death.
“(It’s) extremely satisfying to have your work recognized, especially by an award named for your mentor,” Brooks said.
