The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications will induct Clark into its Hall of Fame at an April 14 awards ceremony.
Naeemah Clark, chair and professor in the Cinema and Television Arts Department, at an awards ceremony on April 14.
A faculty member in 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 School of Communications since 2009, Clark began her own educational journey at Florida State University, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree. She then completed her master鈥檚 and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida.
鈥淚鈥檓 so honored to have been selected for the CJC Hall of Fame. I鈥檇 walk by the wall with all of the pictures every day when I was in grad school in the late 1990s, and now to think that I鈥檒l be one of those in the pictures is nuts!鈥 Clark said.
The award was created in 1970 to honor alumni who have excelled in their professional careers. Since the award鈥檚 inception, 169 alumni have been honored. CJC has more than 35,000 graduates worldwide.
鈥淰ery few of the college鈥檚 doctoral students are selected for this award, so it鈥檚 even more special that other college professors think I鈥檓 worthy of this recognition,鈥 Clark said. 鈥淚鈥檝e tried to do work that advances equity in the entertainment industry and higher education. At my heart, I鈥檓 a storyteller, so whether it鈥檚 through a TEDTalk, a class assignment or a university initiative, I am intentional about how the work I do illustrates the story I鈥檓 creating for myself.鈥
Clark is a nationally acclaimed expert in economic, programming and diversity issues related to the media and entertainment industries. She regularly appears in local, regional and national news media such as HuffPost and CNN. Additionally, Clark edited the book 鈥淎frican Americans in the History of U.S. Media,鈥 co-authored the textbook 鈥淒iversity in US Media,鈥 and has published work in prestigious journals such as Journalism History and American Behavioral Scientist. Before starting at Elon in 2009, Clark worked at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Kent State University.
At Elon, Clark has made significant contributions to the college community. Clark directed the School of Communications Fellows Program for six years, has guided students to publish articles in the Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications and has been active in developing diversity, equity and inclusivity across the curriculum. In 2020, she became the third faculty member to be named the J. Earl Danieley Distinguished Professor, an award that honors outstanding professors in any field.
Tony Weaver, associate dean in the School of Communications, explained that Clark鈥檚 impact has been felt across campus, which has made her a sought-after contributor to numerous Elon initiatives.
鈥淒r. Clark is a true leader in the Cinema and Television Arts Department, the School of Communications and 福利亚洲国产精品,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he University of Florida has recognized the work that we get to see her do every day.鈥
In addition to Clark, Florida’s 2022 Hall of Fame class includes Tonya Cornileus, vice president for development, inclusion and wellness at ESPN; Jerry Ketcham, senior vice president for feature production at Walt Disney Pictures; and Jay Schwedelson, CEO of Worldata.