KU Professor Ted Frederickson is the recipient of the first Budig Teaching Professorship of Writing for the School of Journalism, established by former KU Chancellor Gene Budig. As part of his award for 2007-08, Frederickson will present a public address (time and date to be announced later) to the School of Journalism and the public on the importance of teaching writing.

“The selection committee chose Prof. Frederickson to receive the first professorship because he embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching writing. He has contributed so much to the school and to our students. This recognition is very fitting,” said Ann Brill, Journalism dean.

Frederickson has taught at KU for 27 years. He teaches classes in newspaper reporting, media ethics and first amendment law and society. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Dakota, his master’s in journalism from The American University and his juris doctorate from the University of North Dakota.

This year the School of Journalism placed first in the Intercollegiate Writing Competition of the prestigious, national William Randolph Hearst Foundation Writing Awards competition. Frederickson coached many of the students who won awards in the competition, often referred to as "The Pulitzers of College Journalism."

“This award is flattering, but embarrassing,” Frederickson said. “In the Kansan reporting class where students win the Hearst awards I get them on their way out the door of the school. They’ve already had many other teachers who helped them be better writers. By the time they are seniors they are polished and ready to go on to work for newspapers. It is easy to teach good writers to be even better when they have already been taught by my esteemed colleagues,” Frederickson said.

On his proudest moments as a teacher: “The moments I appreciate most are when a student who doesn’t have a strong natural talent as a writer works hard and is attentive and then writes a great story that wins awards,” Frederickson said.

He spends much one-on-one time with students, coaching them in the finer points of proper news reporting and writing, as well as teaching them how to get the best story. "A talented writer must approach the people whose stories he or she will tell with respect for their humanity and empathy for their plight," Frederickson said.

In nominating Frederickson for this award, former student and Pulitzer Prize winning Wall Street Journal reporter Kevin Helliker wrote: "He covered a lot of ground (in his class). I remember best, however, his assertion that good writing is not distinct from thoughtful, exhaustive, detailed research. Decades later, whenever I'm struggling to write a piece, I often find that the problem isn't lack of creativity or inspiration. The problem is inadequate research, then I think of Prof. Frederickson. What he taught me is that good, clear writing isn't possible without a deep understanding of the subject at hand."

The professorship will rotate each year between KU’s School of Journalism and the School of Education and includes a stipend of $5,000.

“We are very grateful to Dr. Budig for his generous support of the School of Journalism,” Dean Brill said. “Throughout his distinguished career Dr. Budig has been dedicated to excellence in education. We are very appreciative.”

Budig was named KU's 14th chancellor in 1981. During his 13-year tenure, more than 180 faculty positions were established. He was an active fund-raiser during Campaign Kansas, the 1987-92 campaign that raised $265 million from private donors. Budig Hall is named in his honor. He left the university to become president of baseball's American League and now is senior adviser to Major League Baseball. He and his wife Gretchen live in Isle of Palms, S.C.

“Too many young people do not write well and that deficiency threatens our society in a highly competitive world,” Dr. Gene Budig said. “I believe significant schools of journalism and communications, like the one at University of Kansas, must reverse the trend, showing the importance of the written word.”

For more information, please contact Jennifer Kinnard, Communications Coordinator for the KU School of Journalism, at jkinnard@ku.edu or 785-864-7644.

Link to Prof. Frederickson's J-School bio.