TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Dr. Ed Mullins, retired professor of journalism and former dean of The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, received the 2007 Distinguished Special Achievement in Journalism Award from Auburn University’s Journalism Advisory Council on April 6.

Mullins currently serves as a UA instructor in the Knight Fellows Teaching Newspaper program at The Anniston Star and as a volunteer for various community projects.

The award cited Mullins’ work in community journalism at both the UA campus and at The Star and his work as a founder of Alabama Center for Open Government. He was also recognized for serving more than 30 years as a journalism educator and administrator.

Carrollton native Roy Bain, former journalist at the St. Petersburg Times and former adjunct journalism faculty member at UA when Mullins was chair of the department, introduced Mullins and presented the award. Bain is chair of the AU Advisory Council’s Honors Committee which presents the annual awards.

“Dr. Mullins fully represents what the Distinguished Special Achievement in Journalism Award intends to recognize: a distinguished career that supports, enhances and beneficially influences the practice of journalism in Alabama,” said Bain. “Dr. Mullins has been a force in Alabama journalism for 30 years, and in particular in community journalism and in statewide journalism leadership. He has been a trend setter for our state. He richly deserves this award and his recognition raises the bar by which future recipients will be evaluated.”

As a volunteer with the Center for Community-Based Partnerships, Mullins works with students who extend their classroom experience by conducting research and working as community journalists in Alabama’s Black Belt.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.