San Jose State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications honored infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci with the William Randolph Hearst Foundation Award during an online ceremony over Zoom Tuesday afternoon.
Fauci was presented with the award to recognize his outstanding communication to the American public regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony had 2,683 viewers and was streamed live on YouTube where it will stay posted for future viewing, according to Media Relations Specialist Robin McElhatton.
Each year the Hearst Award is given to individuals to recognize them for their outstanding professional media service in journalism, public relations, advertising and mass communications, according to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications website.
According to the website, Fauci has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, and this year he’s been especially vital in keeping the American public informed during the pandemic.
Journalism professor Bob Rucker hosted the award ceremony. He has been a faculty member of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications for more than 30 years.
“When the nation is threatened by a mysterious disease, this widely respected and admired medical doctor became our ever-present rock that we can count on to tell us the truth,” Rucker said during the event.
The ceremony began with a video featuring a plethora of SJSU students, faculty members and community leaders thanking and commending Fauci on his work during these unprecedented times.
California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra congratulated Fauci on his award.
“It is without a doubt about his leadership and dedication to the health and well-being of people everywhere,” Kalra said. “He has saved countless lives, not just here in California, but across the entire country.”
Following the introduction videos, Fauci was officially presented with the award. He reflected on this year as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and explained how he was able to share information regarding COVID-19 with the American people in a way that would clearly convey the severity of the disease.
“In the realm of science and public health, most truths are revealed by science-based evidence and data,” he said. “People need to hear the truth as it is rather than as they might want it to be.”
During the Q&A portion of the ceremony, students asked Fauci about the safety and effectiveness of developing a COVID-19 vaccine. He said the vaccine was developed quickly because of the scientific technology advances and that a vaccine would be extensively tested by independent scientists with no political loyalties.
“When the [Food and Drug Administration] approves those vaccines, then I would without hesitation take the vaccine and suggest strongly to my family to also take the vaccine,” he said.
SJSU President Mary Papazian congratulated Fauci on receiving the award and commended his integrity and communication with the American public over the past months.
“The fact that [Fauci] has done so in the face of great stress, uncertainty and pressure demonstrates a level of integrity and honesty that many of our public and political figures would be wise to emulate,” Papazian said.
Before the ceremony ended, Rucker announced the School of Journalism and Mass Communication was in the process of establishing a new scholarship in Fauci’s name. Journalism professor Halima Kazem and public relations professor Shaun Fletcher said the scholarship would be for future students in the department who are interested in health sciences and mass communications.
During a post-award ceremony meeting with students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, public relations senior Diana Cook commented on Fauci’s honesty and integrity.
“If you don't have the history and proof to show that you have stood by the truth in the past, even if that means saying, ‘I’m sorry I was wrong, things have changed’ as [Fauci] did, as they found out more about the pandemic, then you don't have that believability for future endeavors as well,” Cook said.
