University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications Professor of Journalism Joe Starita was presented the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution History Award Medal on Sept. 8 by the Omaha Chapter for his research and publications on Native American history.
“I much appreciate the recognition from the Omaha DAR chapter, but I appreciate even more that this also helps draw attention to Native Americans and the endless richness of their culture and history. That is where the focus and attention is best served,” Starita said.
Starita has published two books on Native American history: “The Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge: A Lakota Odyssey,” which has nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and translated into six languages, and “ I am Man: Chief Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice,” which was awarded One Book One Nebraska 2012.
In July 2011, Starita received the Leo Reano Award, a national civil rights award, from the National Education Association for his work with the Native American community.
Before joining the journalism faculty in 2000, Starita spent 13 years at the Miami Herald and served as the paper's New York bureau chief from 1983-1987. He also spent four years on the Herald's Investigations Team, where he specialized in stories exposing unethical doctors and lawyers. One of those stories, an article examining how impoverished and illiterate Haitians were being used to extort insurance companies into settling bogus auto claims, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in local reporting.
