The August 5th ceremony highlighted the annual meeting of the Radio-Television Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in Toronto, Canada.

In the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, the tall, vaulting St. George's Hall--itself dating to 1892--provided a fitting backdrop to honor one of the industry's finest educators. Griffiths and his wife, Annette, first heard from Ken Fischer of Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Griffiths' graduate assistant from 1979 to 1982.

Fischer said, "Outside the gates of Brigham Young University is a sign that says, 'The World is Our Campus…Go Forth and Serve.' For 30 years Tom Griffiths has been preparing students to join that world….He instills in his students that when they join the broadcast journalism professions, they are becoming public servants."

Fischer shared some background on Griffiths, including how he attended BYU in the 1950s and 1960s and later served as an Air Force public relations officer for the U.S. Canal Zone into the early 1970s. Returning to Salt Lake City, Griffiths worked for KSL News before beginning a remarkable 30-year career at BYU, including management positions at KBYU TV and radio, and serving as Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. He pioneered the PBS-style student-produced TV newscast at KBYU-TV, now a staple of broadcast journalism programs nationwide.

Ed Adams, Chair of BYU's Department of Communications, said students always came first for Griffiths and that they found his office to be "friendly, familiar ground. Students leave there knowing they have a friend and a mentor."

Bill Silcock of Arizona State University, part of this year's Bliss award committee, said we all need mentors and how Griffiths consistently demonstrates key mentoring aspects. "One, someone who knows and can navigate. Two, someone with integrity. Three, someone with generosity."

Fischer also read from e-mails sent in by former students in support of Griffiths' award nomination.

Barbara Smith of KTVX Salt Lake City wrote, "Tom Griffiths' professional ethics have been the foundation for literally thousands of alumni to build their lives on. He instituted the ideals of commitment, public service, trust, credibility, integrity, and accountability."

Kim Johnson of KSL-TV wrote, "He was, and still is, an enthusiastic, ever-learning teacher and administrator, with a keen eye for recognizing those who can cut it in a cut-throat business."

A short videotape showed Griffiths in action at BYU, including vintage footage from some early newscasts and interviews. The tape was produced by Mark Phillips of BYU and narrated by Bruce Seely, one of Griffiths' former colleagues.

James Upshaw of Oregon, Chair of the Bliss award committee, presented the award to Griffiths to a long, standing ovation.

In his acceptance remarks, Griffiths thanked his wife and said he accepted the award on behalf of mentors everywhere. "There's nothing more important to faculty members than students."

He recognized those who have influenced his teaching over the years, including Elmer Lower, former ABC News President and BYU visiting professor; BYU colleague Norm Tarbox; and Owen Rich, who gave Griffiths his first job in broadcasting at KBYU-FM in 1960. Griffiths later said Tarbox "taught me to remain focused on the reason for faculty is the student body, regardless of administrative pressures to publish or perish."

Appearing somewhat overwhelmed by the attention, Griffiths also acknowledged his unique perspective after three decades of broadcast education. "The older I get, the better I was," he said.

Later, Griffiths shared that when his BYU colleague Dale Cressman, also a member of the Bliss award committee, told him he had won, "I thought he was just joking, something that he does a lot."

"I felt greatly honored and humbled that so many of my former students had banded together to nominate me and write in support of that nomination," Griffiths said. "I maintain contact with over 2,000 of my former students and think of them as part of my extended family."

Griffiths is the 22nd winner of the Edward L. Bliss Award for Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Education, established in 1983. In 2003, a year after Bliss' death, RTVJ named the award in honor of the legendary broadcast journalist and 1984 broadcast journalism education award winner from American University.