Michael Burns, a communication doctoral student, received the Cooper Award from the Central States Communication Association.

The Cooper Award is named after Pamela J. Cooper, former Central States Communication Association president and a former faculty member at Northwestern University. The award is presented to one master’s level graduate teaching assistant and one doctoral level graduate teaching assistant. Each university in a 13-state region can nominate one person in each category. At the annual convention, the recipients receive a $150 cash award and a certificate.

Burns earned his bachelor’s degree at Ohio University, his master’s degree at Texas State University and now is director of the basic course, Comm 110, at NDSU.