research agenda

College media law scholar
Laurence Alexander tapped as
UF Distinguished Alumni Professor

by Keili Glynn

	Laurence Alexander (Photo by Michael Weimar)

Laurence B. Alexander, MA 1983, recipient of the 2001-2003 UF Distinguished Alumni Professor Awards, devotes more than just his lectures and office hours to being a teacher.

Whether he is staying after class to help a student, coaching his son’s track team, or teaching Sunday School at his church, there is no aspect of his life that goes unaffected by his love of being an educator.

Alexander was selected from more than a hundred faculty nominees and is the first College of Journalism and Communications faculty member so honored. He will receive a $10,000 stipend.

He considers this an enormous honor and is proud of the award because it recognizes him for teaching.

Career Markers Teacher of the Year in College—l993, 2000 Faculty Research Award in College—1993, 2001 Faculty Service Award in College—1999 Chair, Board of Directors, Campus Communications Inc. (The Independent Florida Alligator)—2001 Chair, AEJMC Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility Administrative Fellow, UF Provost’s office— Spring 2001 Member, Board of Directors, UF Athletic Association— 2001

“Learning takes place when you’re interacting with students,” he said. “But it doesn’t end at the classroom door. It continues around the podium after class, riding in the elevator, walking down the hall and exchanging e-mails. I take that seriously because there is always learning going on.”

The award, which has been made every year since 1978, recognizes superior and highly influential teachers whose contributions to the community, state and nation have brought distinction to the university.

Beyond these criteria, though, is the passion and dedication that makes Alexander a presence at the university.

Alexander is prepared for this after serving as the chair of the Department of Journalism from 1994-98. He is a veteran administrator who is accustomed to what he refers to as “getting in the trenches to get changes.”

His experiences will also be useful as he speaks to alumni from a faculty perspective.

He will be called upon to speak about UF to National Merit Scholars. Though his award is not reserved for UF graduates, Alexander’s devotion to his alma mater will make him a convincing speaker.

At press time, Laurence Alexander was named Florida Blue Key’s Distinguished Professor; and the Independent Florida Alligator won the Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award.

His education at UF is something he values.

“I had a great learning experience,” he said. “I took away something with me when I left here.”

After earning his master’s degree in the College, Alexander worked as a newspaper reporter and earned a law degree.

However, he returned a few years later.

“What made me come back is that I love the university. It was the first time I understood the expression ‘bleeding orange and blue,’” he said.

	Coach Alexander with sons David (left) and Tyler (Photo by Edward Wells)

Outside the classroom, he devotes much of his time to research on issues of press privilege. Combining both law and journalism, he focuses on what he calls the “new non-journalists.” Reporters can be called on to testify about confidential sources. His work on the subject questions whether privilege should extend beyond traditional journalism to include evolving forms of media, such as the World Wide Web.

“The Internet made many more people able to publish information,” he said, “and the law has to deal with that.”

Dr. Samuel Proctor, chair of the award selection committee, said, “Laurence’s record as a teacher, researcher and outstanding scholar made him the obvious choice for the award.”

Teacher, researcher, family man—and now UF Distinguished Alumni Professor.