The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism announced adjunct journalism professor Kenneth Turan is a winner of the 2008 Alumni Awards. The awards are given annually to Graduate School of Journalism alumni for a distinguished journalism career in any medium, for an outstanding single accomplishment in journalism, for notable contributions to journalism education, or for achievement in related fields. Awardees are selected by members of the School’s Alumni Association.

"It’s always satisfying to be recognized by your peers, and it was a great opportunity to see all my classmates again," Turan said. "It was especially meaningful to me because on the same alumni weekend an influention professor of mine, Judith Crist, was also honored.

"It was really taking her class in film reviewing that really inspired me to be a critic," he continued. "The class I teach at Annenberg is modeled after the one I took with her 40 years ago.”

Turan is the film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR's "Morning Edition," as well as the director of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. He has been a staff writer for the Washington Post and TV Guide, and served as the Times' book review editor. He is the co-author of "Call Me Anna: The Autobiography of Patty Duke." He teaches film reviewing and non-fiction writing at USC and is on the board of directors of the National Yiddish Book Center. His most recent books are: "Sundance to Sarajevo: Film Festivals and the World They Made" and "Never Coming to a Theater Near You." 

"We hope this year's winners feel a special sense of satisfaction from being recognized by their fellow alumni," said Nicholas Lemann, dean of the Columbia Journalism School.

Steve Kroft, a correspondent with 60 Minutes, presented the awards to the winners April 4 at Columbia University.