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Ron Bennett, associate dean of the BYU-Idaho College of Business and
Communication and adviser of the award-winning Scroll newspaper, was
named national two-year college newspaper adviser of the year by the
College Media Advisors at a CMA/Associated Collegiate Press convention in Orlando,
Fla., Nov. 1.
The convention brochure notes that
Bennett not only has a strong commitment to and passion for the journalism
profession but a dedication to his students and their progression.
“First and foremost, I am an
educator,” Bennett says. “My door is always open to my students. I am
available to discuss the newspaper, their classes, their majors, their
futures, or nearly any other subject that is important to them. Ideally, I
would like them to look back at their college experience and remember me as
one who cared.”
Andrea Scott, a junior from Idaho
Falls and the editor-in-chief of the Scroll,
verifies that he is.
“What sets him apart is that he
not only cares about the newspaper and its success, but he cares about each
and every student of his. He changes lives in more than one way as he invites
his students to come in, sit on his couch, and talk. The award is well
deserved,” Scott says.
Upon Bennett’s return from
Orlando, the Scroll class held a second official presentation and
gave him a gift from the staff - and a standing ovation. In this - and
other settings - Bennett is ready to share praise.
“He told us that it’s the
students who make the advisers look good,” Scott said.
Jack LaBaugh, who worked under
Bennett as a student and who now works as a faculty adviser of the Scroll,
was one of the people who nominated Bennett for the award.
“From this side, you can see
what a deep relationship he has with them from the extra hours he puts in
that are not required of him,” LaBaugh said. “It’s interesting to see not
only from the student end but now from the faculty end just how much he
cares for his students.”
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