Jack Doppelt '74 awarded 2013 Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence Award

Jack C. Doppelt, professor of journalism in the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, has been a pioneer in interdisciplinary, international and civically engaged education throughout his long career at Northwestern. A colleague observes that Doppelt's classes achieve one of the main objectives of higher learning by "giving students the knowledge and learning experiences that help them develop an intellectual, professional, social and moral framework for approaching life." Years before global programs were a priority, Doppelt developed Medill's graduate global journalism program, and he has a long history of forging interdisciplinary collaborations for himself and his students. An innovative instructor, he employs the latest digital storytelling tools in his classes, helping his students to develop the dynamic media literacy that journalists need to thrive in today's ever-changing industry. Students repeatedly attest to his inspirational voice for social justice, his joy in mentoring them beyond the classroom and his unwavering commitment to "propelling students forward amidst a world of social change." Doppelt promotes civic and global engagement by encouraging his students to become involved with communities ranging from immigrants in Chicago's Lakeview High School to Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan. He also taught the first media law and ethics course at Northwestern's Qatar campus to a group of young Middle Eastern women during the height of the Arab Spring. In 2012, he was one of five faculty members named to the inaugural group of the Center for Civic Engagement Faculty Fellows. On the Northwestern faculty since 1986, Doppelt has also been a faculty associate of the Institute for Policy Research since 1988 and has served as Medill's associate dean, acting dean and interim associate dean. A distinguished scholar and professional journalist, Doppelt holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago and a B.A. from Grinnell College.