Development News
Special gift for an excellent faculty member

Bill Payden’s longtime commitment to quality collegiate instruction is reflected in his gift.

By John Pepperdine
SJMC Development Director

Public universities do not have stock options or bonuses to retain and inspire. However, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication does have the Bill Payden Award for Faculty Excellence.

This $12,000 gift to a faculty member exhibiting excellence in teaching is the only one of its kind at the School.

Bill Payden (’57) taught for 20 years at Los Angeles Valley College and feels a kinship with the faculty.

“I had some great teachers, like Gayle Waldrop and Bob Rhode, but no one seemed to recognize them financially,” Payden said from his home in Los Angeles.

But teaching was not Payden’s sole career. After graduating from CU, he started off as a reporter and later moved into public relations. Ultimately, he started his own PR company, the Reynolds Communications Group, which continues to thrive.

Last spring Assistant Dean Steve Jones became the first recipient of the award.

“I was thrilled to receive it,” said Jones, who joined the faculty in 1976.

“The recognition by my colleagues of my contribution to teaching and to the School has very special meaning to me. But the recognition of being the first recipient of the William Payden Award for Faculty Excellence is the most significant honor of my career in academia.

“I am quite grateful to Bill for creating this award and hope the rest of my career will prove as worthy.”

If you feel there’s an opportunity at the School or University for you to contribute or start your own fund, please contact me directly at 303-492-4550 or john.pepperdine@cufund.org. And of course, I love visitors at:

John Pepperdine
University of Colorado Foundation School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Armory, 116B
478 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0478