Walter Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan was named the Scripps Howard Foundation Journalism Administrator of the Year on March 12.
Callahan was nominated by a committee of past and present Cronkite faculty that included former dean Doug Anderson, the first Cronkite dean to receive the award.
Cronkite Associate Dean Kristin Gilger said she and other faculty members started the nomination process about a year ago. A nomination committee was formed and the steps for the nomination were divided up among the members, she said.
“We all felt that (Callahan) was especially deserving of this award,” Gilger said. “He’s accomplished an amazing amount in the time he has been dean.”
Callahan said he was aware he had been nominated and thought it was a great honor, not only for him, but for the school.
“This award is one more element that builds the reputation of the school,” he said. “It’s another reminder of what an extraordinary place this is.”
Journalism junior Cullen Wheatley said he thought the award benefitted Cronkite students because it brings recognition to the school.
“It will do stuff like bring more speakers to the school, which connects to getting more journalism students here because they’ll want the benefits of a highly ranked journalism school,” Wheatley said.
Callahan said along with bringing prestige to the Cronkite School, he received a monetary award of $10,000. Callahan said he plans for the money to be used for the editing bay that he sponsors in the Cronkite building. The editing bay is named for his sons, Cody and Casey.
“I love my sons and the school, and this is a combination of those two things, a way to recognize my passion for both of them,” he said.
While Callahan said he believes the Cronkite School is one of the best, if not the best in the country, he feels his role in that is minor.
“We have an outstanding faculty, amazing students, people with lots of experience in this place,” he said. “I feel like I’m the manager of the Yankees in 1927. It’s not hard when there’s all this incredible talent in one place.”
Callahan has been the dean of the Cronkite School for the past four and a half years.
Gilger said she did not think it was uncommon for newer administrators to receive the award.
“I hope it means Callahan will accomplish twice as much by the time he’s been here for eight or nine years,” she said. “I hope it gives people a sense of our momentum here.”
Contact the reporter at sheydt@asu.edu
