BVU Professor Frantz to Receive First Amendment Award
The BVU professor of digital media will receive the Louis E. Inglehart First Amendment Award on behalf of College Media Association. The award honors professional journalists, institutions or advisors who have made an extraordinary contribution in support of the First Amendment.
Dr. Andrea Frantz, Buena Vista University professor of digital media, will receive the Louis E. Inglehart First Amendment Award on behalf of College Media Association (CMA) at the 2016 Fall National College Media Convention in Atlanta on Oct. 27, 2016.
CMA is the nation's largest organization dedicated to serving collegiate media advisers by recognizing the achievements of individuals through various award programs honoring service and outstanding achievements. Recipients of the Inglehart award are professional journalists, institutions or advisors who have made an extraordinary, long-term contribution in support of the First Amendment.
"I am humbled and deeply honored by this award," said Frantz. "The Inglehart honors one of the great First Amendment advocates in our field, and I am so proud to be recognized for my work in this area. I believe that there has never been a time more vital for First Amendment education in our nation than now, and it's my mission to inspire students to champion that awareness as well."
Gene Policinski, chief operating officer for the Newseum Institute in Washington D.C. nominated Frantz, and is himself a previous recipient of the award. Other letters of support came from Mark Witherspoon, editorial advisor to the Iowa State Daily in Ames, Iowa; Mary Beth Earnheardt, coordinator of the Anderson Program and Journalism at Youngtown State University; BVU Associate Professor of Digital Media Jamii Claiborne and Claire Boston, a 2016 BVU alumna.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving of an award focused on First Amendment advocacy and education than her," said Claiborne. "Her work on our campus to inspire and educate students about their freedoms, and in turn, have them educate the community, has been remarkable." Frantz will be the 17th recipient of the award since its establishment in 1980.