Classes: First Amendment and Society, Internet Law, Newspaper Reporting

First year at KU: 1980

Degrees: B.A., political science, University of North Dakota; M.A., journalism, The American University; J.D., University of North Dakota

Honors: Budig Teaching Professorship of Writing for the School of Journalism for 2007-2008. Represents Region 7 (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa) on the National Ethics Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists.

“The beauty of journalism is that it allows you to look at and research and write about virtually everything else. That’s a great reason to be a journalist.”
- Ted Frederickson

by Nick Hale

Ted Frederickson says journalism plays a key role in a democracy.

"The idea of being able to decide who our leaders are going to be, and who we vote for, without having freedom of the press and good journalism -- that's a pretty preposterous idea," he says. "You can't be a democracy if you don't have information that you need to make decisions."

Every J-School professor is unique, and what sets Frederickson apart is his political passion, coupled with an acute sense of social responsibility. He describes himself as controversial, willing to discuss issues that other professors might ignore. At the same time, he expresses admiration for his colleagues at the William Allen White School of Journalism.

"It's a good school because it a has great teachers, great students and a tradition that expects us to continue that," he says.

Frederickson says he tries to make his classes engaging.

"My philosophy in every one of my classes is that it has to involve active learning; meaning that the students actually have to do whatever it is we are approaching," he says. "The only way to learn anything is to be active and to do it."

He says journalism is a great major for anyone who wants to have an impact on the world.

"It is a valued skill to be able to research, organize, write and provide messages," he says. "And I think these skills are applicable in a lot of places. Even if you don't end up in journalism, I don't think you are ever going to regret being able to write and express yourself effectively."

Frederickson came to KU with extensive experience as a reporter, editor and accomplished educator -- and with a law degree. He worked as a reporter for publications including the Wichita Eagle, the Kansas City Times, the Topeka Capital-Journal, the Minneapolis Tribune, the Grand Forks Herald and the Washington Post. He was city editor of the Grand Forks Herald. Before arriving at KU, he taught at the University of North Dakota, Boston University, Washburn University and the American University.

"I consider myself a journalist," Frederickson says. "Even though I have three degrees, I think I always knew I was headed to journalism. I really wanted to work at the top of my profession. Since the best journalism education takes place in Lawrence, Kansas, I can live in a place that I like and still perform at the top of my profession Ð journalism education."