DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Former WFAA-TV investigative reporter Byron Harris, whose career spanned more than 40 years, will receive the C.E. "Pop" Shuford Hall of Honor Award from the University of North Texas' Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism.
The Shuford Hall of Honor Award recognizes individuals for professional and educational lifetime achievement and distinguished contributions to the journalism profession. The award is named for C.E. "Pop" Shuford, the faculty member who started the journalism program in 1945 at what was then North Texas State Teachers College. Open to those who have made impacts in the journalism profession, the Shuford Hall of Honor Award is the most prestigious award given by the Mayborn School and has been presented annually since 1982.
Harris will be honored at the annual Celebrate Mayborn awards ceremony April 21 (Thursday). Past Shuford Hall of Honor recipients include Dallas Morning News editor emeritus Bob Mong, WFAA-TV anchor John McCaa, longtime PBS host and Pulitzer Prize winner Bill Moyers and Fort Worth Star-Telegram editor Jack Tinsley.
Harris began his career as a film editor with WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and as a reporter with KGNC-TV in Amarillo and KWTV-TV in Oklahoma City before joining WFAA-TV in 1974. He was one of the first investigative reporters to reveal fraud in Texas savings and loan institutions during the 1980s, with his reports spurring government investigations that resulted in reforms and prison time for several executives. He also investigated the for-profit school industry and Medicaid fraud in Texas and covered wars in Somalia and Iraq, including being embedded with U.S. troops during the second Gulf War.
Harris has received six DuPont Columbia Awards, two Peabody Awards and four Edward R. Murrow Awards for his work, among other recognitions. He has also written articles for magazines and newspapers across the country, including multiple cover reports for Texas Monthly and articles published in The Wall Street Journal, Air & Space magazine and The Dallas Morning News. His broadcast work has appeared in ABC's Nightline and the Nightly Business Report. Harris retired from WFAA-TV in October 2015.
Several other awards will be presented to journalists and others at Celebrate Mayborn, which will also announce student scholarship winners. The awards and award winners include:
Alumni Appreciation Award -- Given to graduates or former students in the journalism program in recognition of long-term service to the program. Recipients:
- Mike Cinelli, retired political editor for the Houston Chronicle
- Eileen O'Grady, energy reporter for Argus Media in Houston
Career Service Recognition -- Recognizes individuals who are successful in their professions and have given their valuable time to the Mayborn School by speaking to classes and/or student organizations. Recipients:
- Kristi Nelson, anchor and reporter for KXAS-TV
- George Riba, retired sports anchor and reporter for WFAA-TV
Distinguished Professional Achievement -- Recognizes individuals who are well known nationally or regionally in their professions and have had major influence on others in the profession. Recipients:
- Ed Stewart, senior vice president of the Dallas office of Fleishman-Hillard Inc., a public relations and marketing agency
- Keven Ann Willey, vice president and editorial page editor at the Dallas Morning News
Mayborn Medallion Award -- Recognizes those who have engaged in partnership, collaboration or other efforts on behalf of the Mayborn School as a business entity. Recipient:
- David Dunnigan, senior consultant for Allison+Partners public relations agency
Rising Star Award -- Given to graduates and former students of the journalism program who have been working in the field after graduating or leaving the program. Recipients:
- Ben Baby, sports reporter and columnist for the San Antonio Express-News
- Farrah Cox, executive vice president and executive director for Golin, a public relations agency
- Valeria Sosa, account manager for Droga5, an independent advertising agency
Super Alum Awards -- Recognizes graduates and former students of the journalism program who have provided service, such as being guest speakers to classes, advising student organizations, consistently posting jobs and internships on the Mayborn School's website and mentoring current students. Recipients:
- Michael J. Mooney, staff writer for D Magazine
- Tasha Tsiaperas, staff writer for the Dallas Morning News