Ford Risley (00:03):

Greetings everyone! I'm here in my office at Penn State doing what we've all been doing for far too long: looking at a computer screen and preparing for a virtual classroom meeting. How I wish I was instead getting ready to travel to another AJHA convention and the opportunity to see many great friends. AJHA conventions have been one of my favorite fall activities for more than 25 years. I'm disappointed that we can't meet in Memphis this year, but it was certainly wise to make this year's meeting virtual. I'm so grateful to receive the Kobre award. I want to thank the folks who supported my nomination. I owe special thanks to David Sloan, who took the lead in nominating me. I've always appreciated David's unending commitment to our organization, and the idea that he wanted to nominate me is something I will always appreciate. I also want to thank Penn State for making it possible for me to be a productive scholar and an active member of AJHA.

Ford Risley (01:02):

I've been fortunate to work for two outstanding deans, Doug Anderson and Marie Hardin, and a college with terrific faculty and staff. I wouldn't have been able to do so many things for the organization, if it wasn't for their incredible support of my work. I've been fortunate to know many members of our organization who I consider role models. I won't name them for fear of leaving someone out, but I would be remiss in not mentioning one: Wally Eberhard. I took a media history seminar with Wally at the University of Georgia, and by the time the semester was over, I knew what the path of my academic career would be. Wally was a wise counsel as I learned the ins and outs of academia, and he became a good friend. He also won the Kobre award, and it's terrific to follow in his footsteps. Finally, I owe a great debt to my family. My parents instilled in their children a love of reading and history. My mother was an elementary school teacher. We spent many Saturdays at the Willow Branch library, finding new books to take home. My wife Mary has always supported my work, starting when I decided to go to graduate school soon after we were married. I can never thank her enough.

Ford Risley (02:22):

I want to say just a few words about what AJHA means to me and encourage you all to support the organization with your time. I joined AJHA in 1993, when I was a doctoral student, and I attended my first convention in Salt Lake City. Like all graduate students, I was warmly welcomed, and I immediately felt a comradery with a group of people who shared my interest. Twenty-seven years later, AJHA remains my academic home outside of Penn State. I believe passionately in the organization's mission to promote research and education in mass communication history. There's simply no way that I would have been able to accomplish what I have if it wasn't for AJHA. I've also made many wonderful friends and have fond memories of spending time together at conventions. It's why I've been an active member as a convention host, as a board member and president, and most recently as editor of American Journalism. I never planned to do any of these things.

Ford Risley (03:21):

I just felt like when the opportunities presented themselves, I should help. I want to encourage everyone to do the same. AJHA can only be successful if members are willing to do more than pay their annual dues and attend conventions. We need folks to enthusiastically serve as reviewers, committee members and chairs, convention hosts, and officers. You'll be helping an outstanding organization, and I promise that you'll be better from the experience. Thank you again for this wonderful honor. I can assure you it's something I will always cherish. Please stay safe, and I look forward to the time when we can meet again in person. Thank you.