Samir ‘Mr. Magazine’ Husni, UM journalism professor and director of the Magazine Innovation Center, is a 2018 recipient of the Franklin Luminaire Award. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – Idealliance and Print Industries Alliance have named University of Mississippi journalism professor Samir Husni a recipient of the 2018 Franklin Luminaire Award.
The award recognizes professionals for exceptional and positive contributions to service in the media and graphic communications industry. Husni, founder and director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media, is one of four recipients of the award.
Husni said he was humbled and honored when he learned of the award.
“It is always a great honor when the industry that you’ve devoted your entire educational and professional life to serve returns the favor by recognizing the work that you’ve done,” he said.
Husni’s accomplishments include engaging in magazine consulting and research around the world, as well as presenting at seminars and writing books on the future of print in a digital age, and supporting professional experience for students by providing them an opportunity to interact with industry leaders.
“It is another shot in the arm confirming that the magazine program at Ole Miss is still as valid today as it was yesterday,” he said. “What we do is not separated from what the industry does; thus, we will continue to prepare (students) to be able to join the workforce and become industry leaders.
“Words of thanks are never enough, but it is one of those rare occasions that I am speechless.”
Because the Meek School teaches job skills for both journalism and integrated marketing communications students, faculty members often remain practitioners in their industries, allowing them to teach students applicable skills for future careers.
“The Meek School is a professional school,” said Will Norton, dean of the school. “Faculty are hired to know media, and Dr. Husni is a prototype of that ideal.”
Husni will be honored on Oct. 17 at the annual Franklin Luminaire Awards event in New York City.
Other award recipients include Chris Harrold, vice president and creative director at Mohawk Fine Papers in Cohoes, New York; Rebecca Pappas, vice president of production, customer service and audience development at BizBash Media in New York; and John G. Sommers Jr., president and CEO of Allied Printing Services in Manchester, Connecticut.