2023 Dom Caristi, Ball State University
2022 Don Grady, Elon University
2021 Michael O. Wirth, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2020 August E. Grant, University of South Carolina
2019 Louise M. Benjamin, Kansas State University
2018 Gregory Pitts, NATPE
2017 Joe Misiewicz, Ball State University
2016 Linda Bathgate, Routledge/Taylor & Francis
2015 Dr. Jannette L. Dates, Howard University
2014 Dr. Douglas A. Boyd, University of Kentucky
2013 Dr. Robert K. Avery, University of Utah
2012 Dr. William Christ, Trinity University
2011 Diana King, The Charles and Lucile King Foundation
2010 Louisa Nielsen, Former BEA Executive Director
2009 Michael D. Murray, UM Board of Curators Professor, University of Missouri-St. Louis
2008 Donald G. Godfrey, Professor, Arizona State University
2007 Dan Rather, Dan Rather Reports, HD.Net
2006 Mike Donovan, Professor, Rowan University & King Foundation
2005 W. Lawrence Patrick, Media Broker, Broadcaster & Professor
2004 Herbert “Herb” Zettl, Emeritus Professor, San Francisco State University
2003 Joyce Tudryn, Broadcast Association Professional
2002 Norman J. Pattiz, Broadcaster
2001 Peter Orlik, Professor
2000 Herbert Howard, Professor
1999 Joe S. Foote, Professor
1998 Lawrence Lichty, Professor
1997 Lynne Shafer Gross, Professor
1996 Lewis Klein, Broadcaster
1995 Stanley Donner, Professor
1994 Patricia Cranston, Professor
1993 Rebecca Hayden, Publishing Professional
1992 Christopher H. Sterling, Professor
1991 Stan McKenzie, Broadcaster
1990 John Michael Kittross, Professor
1989 Wally Dunlap and Clark Pollack, Broadcasters
1988 Bruce Linton, Professor
1987 Erwin Krasnow, Communications Attorney
1986 Ken Harwood, Professor
1985 Thomas Bolger, Broadcaster
1984 Vincent Wasilewski, Broadcaster
1983 Sydney Head, Professor
1982 Harold Niven, Broadcast Association Professional