Departmental News
Grunig Receives Honorary Degree from Istanbul University
Professor emeritus James E. Grunig has received an honorary degree from one of the world's oldest university, Istanbul University, located in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 1453 by Mehmet the Conqueror, Istanbul University has transitioned from a religious school into a world-class institution of higher learning.
Grunig has been awarded the honorary doctorate for his long-term contribution to public relations theory, research, and teaching. His honorary doctorate was the first ever awarded in the area of communication by Istanbul University. He was awarded the doctorate in a special ceremony presided over by the Rector of Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Yunus Soylet, on March 12. After receiving the doctorate, Grunig delivered an address titled, "A Vision for Public Relations." The honorary doctorate was Grunig's third. He received similar awards from the University of Bucharest in Romania in 2008 and the University of San Martin de Porres in Peru in 2007. In Instanbul, Grunig also delivered the final address in a six-month series of lectures on "Weltanschauung and Public Relations" sponsored by the Bersay Communication Institute. His lecture was titled, "Reflections on Public Relations as Strategic, Two-Way Symmetrical Communication."
To see more pictures from the event, click here.
