Two Retired Faculty Selected for 2026 CJC Legends Awards
The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) will honor Mickie Edwardson and Jon Roosenraad posthumously with the CJC Legends Award at the 2026 UFCJC College Awards Banquet on April 10 at the UF Hilton and Conference Center in Gainesville.
The CJC Legends Award honors previous faculty and staff members who demonstrated and were committed to excellence in teaching, research and/or student performance, were instrumental in the College’s growth and establishment of new programs, advanced and strengthened the College’s mission and strategic goals and had a positive impact on students’ careers and lives.
Edwardson, a Broadcasting professor and WUFT director and producer, began her 38-year career at UF in 1956, becoming the first woman appointed as a full-time faculty member in the College. Her students remember her as tough but fair, and in 1985, she was rewarded for her teaching excellence by becoming the first woman at UF to be named a Distinguished Service Professor.
When WUFT-TV signed on in 1958, she became one of the station’s first producers and directors. She also programmed classical music for WRUF-FM and helped launch public radio station WUFT-FM in 1981. She retired in 1994 but continued to volunteer for fund drives where she would show her love of classical music by producing opera programming.
Roosenraad, Journalism professor emeritus, began his 55-year tenure at UF in 1968 and continued to work until his death in 2023. He served as chair of the Department of Journalism from 1978 to 1994, received the UF Outstanding Teacher Award in 1991 and was assistant dean for student services from 1994 until 2008. He retired as a full-time faculty member in 2006, but continued teaching as an adjunct instructor.
He was closely associated with the Independent Florida Alligator newspaper, serving on the board of directors from 1976-1996 and as chair of the board from 1978-1996. Later he was inducted into the Alligator Hall of Fame. He was also honored by the Florida Press Association with the creation of the Jon A. Roosenraad First Amendment Award. The award honors a news organization that “actively defends the principles of the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.”
Category: College News
Tagged: CJC Legends Jon Roosenraad Journalism Mickie Edwardson MPMT
Subscribe to our News Digest
