Commentary: October is recognized as National Higher Education Month, providing an opportunity to reflect on the vital role of mass communications education. Dr. Larry Burriss, a professor in Journalism at MTSU, discusses how mass communications professors equip students with essential skills, technical expertise, and philosophical understanding. These future professionals will soon influence media content across print, broadcast, and online platforms. With more, here’s Dr. Burriss… Listen to more media commentaries by Dr. Burriss HERE. Scroll down to catch a glimpse into the professor’s background.

About Dr. Burriss - Larry Burriss, professor of journalism, teaches introductory and media law courses. At the graduate level he teaches quantitative research methods and media law. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University (B.A. in broadcast journalism, M.A. in journalism), the University of Oklahoma (M.A. in human relations), Ohio University (Ph.D. in journalism) and Concord Law School (J.D.). He has worked in print and broadcast news and public relations, and has published extensively in both academic and popular publications. He has won first place in the Tennessee Associated Press Radio Contest nine times. Dr. Burriss' publications and presentations include studies of presidential press conferences, NASA photography, radio news, legal issues related to adolescent use of social networking sites, legal research, and Middle Earth.

Dr. Burriss has served as director of the School of Journalism, dean of the College of Mass Communication and president of the MTSU Faculty Senate. He was appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to serve on the Tennessee Board of Regents. He was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and served on active duty in Mali, Somalia, Bosnia, Central America, Europe and the Pentagon.