The University of Memphis has established an award named in honor alumnus Mike Pennington, a well-known figure in the trucking industry who recently passed away at the age of 64.

The D. Mike Pennington Award for Outstanding Mentoring in the Department of Journalism will recognize a Journalism faculty member who has been an exemplary guide to students during their learning experience. Students, faculty and alumni may nominate faculty for the award.

This is the first mentoring award in the College of Communication and Fine Arts and first faculty award in Journalism.

Pennington spent 25 years in corporate communications and 13 years as a business magazine journalist, editor and photographer in trucking and affiliated industries. He later established PenNotes LLC to continue his client counseling and industry involvement.

Pennington was also involved in American Trucking Associations, the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry, Trucker Buddy International, and the Truck Writers of North America. He worked on projects for Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week and New Aftermarket Leaders of Tomorrow.

To make a contribution to the Pennington Award, go to www.memphis.edu/give. Select “I would like to give to a fund not listed here,” which then provides a line to enter “Mike Pennington Award.” Checks made payable to the University of Memphis Foundation should be mailed to Department 238, The UofM Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148.

For more information contact Katherine Goliver, director of development for the College of Communication and Fine Arts at k.goliver@memphis.edu or call 901-678-4372.