University Of Memphis Establishes D. Mike Pennington Award For Mentoring

Pennington, a significant presence in the North American trucking industry and retired Meritor Inc. employee, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 5, 2014, at the age of 64. Pennington spent 25 years in corporate communications and 13 years as a business magazine journalist, editor and photographer, primarily in trucking and affiliated industries. He was a graduate of the University of Memphis Class of 1972.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis has established the D. Mike Pennington Award for Outstanding Mentoring in the Department of Journalism. The award honors distinguished alumnus D. Mike Pennington, Class of 1972, and is the first mentoring award in the College of Communication and Fine Arts and the first faculty award in Journalism.

Pennington, a significant presence in the North American trucking industry and retired Meritor Inc. employee, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 5, 2014, at the age of 64.

The Pennington family and friends created the unique tribute to Pennington to honor his dedication to helping others and his loyalty to his alma mater. Honored with numerous awards during his lifetime, Pennington spent 25 years in corporate communications and 13 years as a business magazine journalist, editor and photographer, primarily in trucking and affiliated industries. After his corporate life, he established PenNotes LLC to continue his client counseling and his involvement in the industry. His client list included Meritor Inc. (formerly Rockwell Automotive), Meritor WABCO, Maxion Wheels and Cummins Filtration.

Highly respected in his field, Pennington devoted his time to many organizations, including the American Trucking Association (ATA), Act 1 (the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry), Trucker Buddy International, the Truck Writers of North America, and numerous industry projects for Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week and New Aftermarket Leaders of Tomorrow.

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

Contributions to the Pennington Award may be made online at 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.