Hoyt to be honored for teaching

A record of excellence in broadcast journalism education has won a major award for James L. Hoyt, former director of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication will present its 2002 Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Educator award to Hoyt Thursday, Aug. 8 in Miami.

Hoyt, on the UW–Madison journalism and mass communication faculty since 1973, has spent his career in the field of television news. A veteran of NBC News in Washington, WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee and WHA-TV in Madison. He earned three degrees, including his Ph.D. in 1970, from UW. He served as director of the UW–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication between 1981-91, and retired earlier this year.

His research focused on cameras in the courtroom, and he was a member of the committee which proposed Wisconsin’s landmark law allowing television cameras in the courtroom. With Ed Bliss, formerly of CBS News, Hoyt co-authored the highly regarded text, “Writing News for Broadcast” (Columbia University Press, 1994).

Indeed, his work with students was a highlight of Hoyt’s career, he says. “This award is really a testimonial to the hundreds of students I’ve been privileged to teach at UW–Madison over the past 29 years,” he says. “Many of these students have gone on to distinguished careers in broadcast journalism and made their alma mater – and their professor – extremely proud.”

Hoyt also had a remarkable influence in his department, says Tom Bier, vice president/station manager of Madison’s CBS affiliate, WISC-TV. “UW-Madison has one of the better journalism schools in the country, and Jim had the vision and diplomacy to bring the school into the electronic age.”

Fellow broadcast journalism educators bestowed the award. “It’s always flattering to be recognized by your peers,” Hoyt says. “They know you professionally better than anyone else.”