Bullard, James win national journalism educators group awards

Released on 08/26/2010, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, Neb., August 26th, 2010 —

University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors Sue Burzynski Bullard and Stacy James earned first place awards from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

James received the Outstanding Service Award from the Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, and Bullard earned first place in the promising professors teaching competition for new faculty from the Mass Communication and Society Division and Graduate Education Interest Group.

Founded in 1912, AEJMC is a nonprofit organization of more than 3,700 educators, students and practitioners from around the globe. AEJMC promotes the highest possible standards for journalism and mass communication education -- from advertising and public relations to electronic and online journalism to media management and newspapers. The national conference was Aug. 6 in Denver.

The Mass Communication and Society Division, part of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, showcases best practices by top teachers. In addition to receiving a cash award, Bullard shared her success in the classroom in a workshop with other promising professors at a distinguished educators workshop.

At Nebraska, Bullard teaches editing, reporting and online media classes. She teaches daylong workshops on "All Things Web," as part of a One Day University program at UNL's College of Journalism and Mass Communications aimed at busy professionals. When not teaching, she is writing an editing textbook, "Everybody's an Editor, Navigating Journalism's Changing Landscape," slated to be published digitally. Before coming to UNL, Bullard was a visiting editor-in-residence at Michigan State University. She returns to Michigan in the summers to teach a one-week course for high school journalism teachers on emerging technologies.

Before entering academia, Bullard held a variety of editing positions during 21 years at the Detroit News, including three years as managing editor. She was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the newsroom and supervised nearly 300 journalists and helped integrate print and online newsrooms. Bullard also worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Lansing and Port Huron, Mich. Bullard earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State and a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University. She was named an outstanding alumna of the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences in 2007. In 2008, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit chapter. And in 2009, Bullard was inducted into the Michigan State News Hall of Fame.

James was cited for her expertise in graphic design and print production and her "tireless commitment to the division as the AdNews editor and graphic designer of the Journal of Advertising Education."

The outstanding professional service award is one of three presented at AEJMC's national annual convention and members meeting. The advertising division publishes the Journal of Advertising Education, a journal devoted to research and commentary on instruction, curriculum and leadership in advertising education and AdNews, a divisional newsletter. The advertising division of AEJMC acts as a bridge between academia and the professional community and serves the advertising industry.

At Nebraska, James teaches advertising courses in communications graphics, promotional writing, principles of strategic communications and the capstone advertising and public relations campaigns class. Before arriving at UNL, James had 18 years of professional experience, including 13 years with advertising agencies in Kansas City, Mo., and Lincoln, where she held positions in account service, public relations and creative. She also served five years on the "client side" as director of advertising and sales promotion for an international bedding products manufacturer. James' past honors include 11 UNL Parents Association Teaching awards, Mortar Board "Muse" award (2003) and the Advertising Federation of Lincoln's Silver Medal Award (1999). She earned a bachelor's degree in advertising and a master's degree in journalism from UNL.

WRITER: Marilyn Hahn

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