Awards
J-school’s Sharon Barrett named UM’s top teacher

By Lindsay Henderson
J-School Web Reporter

A professor in the University of Montana School of Journalism was honored with a Distinguished Teaching Award at the annual UM faculty and staff awards last month.

Sharon Barrett, now in her 21st year at the J-school, was pleased with the tribute.

"It’s also kind of scary because, as I said in my ‘acceptance speech,’ I’m sure it will come as a surprise to some of my students," said Barrett. "But those are the ones that will keep me on my toes."

Each year the UM president’s office throws a bash to honor the dozen or so faculty and staff members nominated in several categories. The $1,000 Distinguished Teaching Award is bestowed on faculty with a history of excellent teaching who have had a long-term impact upon their students.

A native of Indiana, Barrett graduated from Indiana University in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English. She went on to the University of Wisconsin where she earned a master’s in English in 1967.

Her friend and colleague, Professor Mary Ellen Campbell of the UM School of Business, nominated Barrett for the award.

"I have worked with her for almost 20 years," said Campbell. "I’ve seen her be so dedicated in so many ways. She goes the extra mile for her students. That kind of dedication deserves to be recognized. She takes a real interest in making her students professionals."

After Barrett was nominated, a barrage of recommendation letters ensued. Former and current students and colleagues wrote to the selection committee in her support.

"The letters were wonderful," she said. "They were an award in and of themselves."
Betsy Bach, chair of the selection committee, cited the letters as a factor in Barrett’s favor.

"The thing that put Sharon over the top in a lot of people’s opinion were the written evaluations and letters from students," Bach said. "They were just wonderful."

Former student and current Missoulian reporter Betsy Cohen wrote, "I am passionate about my work. I wake up every morning, thankful that I found a career that challenges me, helps others make better informed decisions about their daily lives, and I am thankful for a job that gives me great satisfaction. I owe this hard-earn[ed], wonderful life of mine to my teacher and mentor Sharon Barrett."

Another student wrote, "It was a pleasure to study under someone who had not only read the AP style manual but the complete works of Shakespeare."

Michael Moore, a Missoulian reporter and former student of Barrett’s, wrote, "She challenged us, pushed us, but also gave us room to grow. She didn’t keep us tightly locked in the little box of who, what, when, where and why. She knew that writing nurtures the soul, journalism no less so than novel or poetry. In fact she even let me write a poem as an editorial."

Barrett has been doing book reviews for the Chicago Sun Times for 25 years. She received a Fulbright lectureship in 1987 to teach at the University of Lima in Peru and has lived and worked in Mexico. Barrett also worked as a reporter, city editor and columnist for the Missoulian for a decade.

"My first love is writing," said Barrett, "all kinds." However, she also enjoys editing. She worked at the Washington Post for three summers as an assistant foreign editor until she was tired of missing Montana in the summer.

Her teaching philosophy? "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better best."

Her philosophy changes with each student, she said: Some need hand holding, some need to be read the riot act and others just need some fine-tuning.

"I really do like teaching," said Barrett. "There is an amazing sameness over the years, a universality of youth. It’s a great challenge."

Journalism student Michael Quinn ended his recommendation letter for Barrett with a quote from poet Carl Sandburg that Barrett read on the last day of class. He wrote, "I believe his quote best sums up Sharon’s approach to being a professor of journalism: ‘All my life I have been trying to read, to see and hear, and to write.’ "