J school associate dean Brian Brooks to be honored

The J school associate dean is set to be inducted into hall of fame.

By Angela Case

Published July 7, 2009

Brian Brooks, associate dean for undergraduate studies at the journalism school, will be inducted into the Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame this fall.

The Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Missouri Press Association and was established in 1991.

Brooks, who will join four other inductees in the 2009 class, was chosen from a pool of 14 nominees.

Brooks said he did not expect to receive the honor.

"I was completely surprised by it," he said. "I never thought I'd be nominated for any kind of hall of fame."

The 2009 honorees will be formally inducted Oct. 16 at a banquet at the Missouri Press Association convention in Kansas City, according to the association's Web site.

Doug Crews, executive director of the association, said recommendations for the hall of fame are solicited each year from association members and the public. After going through a screening committee, nominations are sent to a selection committee that includes the president, first vice president and historian of the association, as well as four members of the hall of fame.

MU professor Jim Sterling nominated Brooks, and the selection committee received many letters of support from Brooks' former co-workers and other acquaintances, Crews said.

The selection committee considers a number of set criteria when selecting inductees.

"Inductees have shown exemplary contributions to the newspaper industry during a period of at least 20 years prior to being nominated," Crews said. "They've lived honorably, influenced unselfishly, thought soundly and displayed community involvement."

Brooks said of all his achievements, he is most proud of his efforts as a professor.

"I've had 35 years of watching great students go through this school and go out and do well," he said. "I hope that I've positively influenced some of them."

Although he has received many awards throughout his career, Brooks said he is flattered by his latest honor.

"Any time you're elected to a hall of fame, that's a big thing," he said.