Earlier this year, New Jersey-based journalist and writer Glenn Townes was nominated to the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame in Iowa City, Iowa. Townes joined the editorial staff of New Jersey Urban News as a senior writer in November 2019.
Venise Berry, an associate professor of Journalism and African American Studies at the University of Iowa and best-selling author, nominated Townes for his “outstanding commitment and dedication to writing about contemporary issues and journalism related to the African American community.” Townes, a writer and reporter for more than 30 years is a 1986 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and a native of Edison, NJ. He was a guest lecturer and Professional-in-Residence twice at the University of Iowa in 2007 and 2016. His work has appeared in dozens of publications, including Black Enterprise, ESSENCE, the Miami Herald, Hispanic Business, Kansas City Star, NJ Biz, and the Network Journal. He is also the recipient of several awards for journalistic excellence, including the 2017 Frank Allen Field Reporting Award by the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources. He was a guest lecturer and Professional-in-Residence twice at the University of Iowa in 2007 and 2016. “I’m delighted and thank professor Berry for submitting my name for consideration and the prestigious honor at my great alma mater,” he said.