Otis Sanford, the Hardin Chair of Excellence in Journalism in the University of Memphis’ Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, has been named 2018 Communicator of the Year by the Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Sanford will receive his award at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the University Club in Memphis.

The Memphis chapter of the PRSA gives the award to a professional who is visible in the public; who has demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate with the public; and is respected in his or her community.

The PRSA will honor Sanford at its monthly luncheon Thursday, Jan. 10, at 11:30 a.m. at the University Club.

Sanford came to the university after a distinguished journalism career at The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal, the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, The Pittsburgh Press and the Detroit Free Press. He teaches media writing, mass media, diversity and society, survey of mass communication and reporting at the U of M. He also has been chosen to teach a course at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, from May 10 to June 2. The course is titled “Politics, the Press and Race in America.”

Sanford published his latest book, “From Boss Crump to King Willie: How Race Changed Memphis Politics,” in 2017.

Sanford writes for The Daily Memphian and is a political commentator for WATN Local 24 TV in Memphis.

— Phillip Tutor, CCFA media coordinator, potutor@memphis.edu