Athens, Ga. – Leara Rhodes, associate professor of journalism in the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, has received the 2004 Barry Bingham Sr. Fellowship from the National Conference of Editorial Writers (NCEW).
The Bingham Fellowship is presented annually to a journalism educator for leadership in education and attracting minority students into journalism careers. For many years, Rhodes has taught, mentored and advised minority students, creating a lengthy, coherent, successful record of advancing minorities in journalism. Rhodes received the award at NCEW’s annual meeting on Oct. 1.
Barry Bingham Sr. guided the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times to national prominence starting in 1937 when he succeeded his father as chief officer of the newspaper company. Under his leadership, the papers received six Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other national awards, including rankings in the top 10 newspapers of America. Bingham is known as a strong supporter of human rights, conservation and the arts.
In September, Rhodes was recognized by UGA’s Office of Institutional Diversity with one of four faculty diversity awards for “exemplary efforts to advance the university’s mission of promoting diversity and maintaining academic excellence.”
Rhodes chairs the diversity committee in the Grady College and was the principle author of the college’s diversity plan, which aims to increase minority faculty and students. She developed the “Bridge to Grady” program, a student group that mentors potential minority students and is personally involved in recruiting and advising minority students in journalism. She is also active as a faculty member of UGA’s African Studies Institute and an associate member of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program.
The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, established in 1915, provides seven undergraduate majors: advertising, broadcast news, magazines, newspapers, public relations, publication management and telecommunication arts. The college offers two graduate degrees and is home to the Peabody Awards, one of the premier programs in broadcasting.
Note to editors: For a photo from the award presentation, contact Kim Cretors at kcretors@uga.edu.
