Dr. Donald Ungurait receives Artes Award

2007 FSU annual Torch Awards Ceremony

Dr. Don Ungurait, retired associate professor of Communication, was given an Artes Award at the Annual Faculty Assembly of the Florida State University, held on Thursday, September 20, 2007. One of three FSU Torch Awards, the Artes Award symbolizes appreciation of aesthetics and the beauty of intellectual pursuits. Dr. Ungurait received his undergraduate degree from Indiana State University with a double major in Theatre and Speech, a Master’s degree in Rhetoric, and a Ph.D. in both Mass Communication and Theatre History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

He joined the faculty at FSU as a professor in the Department of Communication in 1968. During his time at FSU, he served as Acting Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication, and as well as the Vice-Provost of Communication and the Arts. He was instrumental in founding the School of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts (The Film School) and served as its Founding Dean.

The Provost’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction, and two Seminole Awards for Leadership and Service were among recognitions Dr. Ungurait received during his service at FSU. In 1990, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers named him Film Educator of the Decade for his leadership in directing the Florida Motion Picture and Television “On The Job Training Program”. His contributions to education in film and television were exemplified by his founding of the Liberty City summer Minority program which provided “hands on” opportunities in the film and television industry for nearly 1,000 Floridians in Dade and Broward Counties. At a recent Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival, Blockbuster Video endowed an FSU Film School scholarship in his name.