2004 ACADEMIC FREEDOM AWARD

Presented by Auburn Chapter of the

American Association of University Professors (AAUP)

to

Judith E. Sheppard

Associate Professor

Department of Communication and Journalism

Auburn University

The Auburn University “AAUP Academic Freedom Award” is presented annually to a person who demonstrated high ethical standards and professionalism in his or her field of specialization and has also made significant contributions to advocating, protecting, and extending academic freedom at Auburn University. To be eligible for this award one must be a member of the AU faculty, staff, or administration, or a representative of a duly recognized university organization.

This year’s recipient is an alumna of Auburn University, having received her B.A. and M.S. Degrees at Auburn before joining the AU faculty as a member of the Department of Journalism in 1993. During the past 10 years she has been actively involved in the Auburn Chapter of AAUP and has worked tirelessly to articulate and promote the principles of academic freedom and shared governance at Auburn University. In addition to serving on the executive committee of the Auburn Chapter of AAUP since 1999, she served as chapter president in 2001-2002 and is currently editor of the Auburn University chapter newsletter Auburn Academe. She currently holds the rank of Associate Professor, with tenure, in the Department of Communication and Journalism. It is my privilege to announce the 2004 recipient of the AAUP Academic Freedom Award, Judith E. Sheppard.

Prior to joining the AU faculty she was a free-lance writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Mobile Register, and several other Alabama newspapers. She has won a number of writing awards, including the prestigious “Green Eyeshade Award” presented by the Atlanta Society of Professional Journalists which recognizes excellence in broadcast and print journalism. She is also a recipient in the all-media category for Criticism for contributions to the American Journalism Review, the country’s top media criticism journal.

As a faculty member at Auburn she has served five years as an elected senator in the University Senate and is currently completing her fourth year as a member of the Senate Steering Committee. In nominating Judy Sheppard for this award, a colleague cited “her courageous work in the University Senate” and her participation by “asking probing questions” and as “a calm, strong voice in the Senate.” Another individual who nominated her noted her “willingness to stand up for what she believes to be right,” and that throughout her years in the Senate has “stuck with her principles, and those of the AAUP.”

And finally, to quote two other individuals who supported her nomination: “Judy’s willingness to put her time and energy behind her convictions has been inspirational.” “My admiration for Judy is immense. She speaks so directly, yet so eloquently. She’s been unbelievably courageous. Yet, the great charm of Judy is that she is so unaware of her bravery, her influence, her extraordinary contribution to making a positive difference in the world. Auburn University is fortunate to have someone of her integrity, character, and ability teaching students in journalism. She represents the best of the profession and epitomizes the highest standards of open debate and freedom of expression that are so necessary for the viability of a healthy democracy.”