When honoring someone becomes an act of “courage”

Thomas Curley, president and CEO of the Associated Press, stood before 200 members of Rochester Institute of Technology’s Nathaniel Rochester Society on July 14 clearly touched by the warm reception.

Curley was being recognized at the organization’s summer gala as recipient of the NRS Award, given annually to an individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement of RIT. He thanked the people of Rochester for their “courage” in bestowing him with two honors in 2005.

Back in April, Curley received the RIT Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing in recogniztion of his contribution to that industry. Prior to his current role at AP, the 1977 graduate of RIT’s MBA program was president and publisher of USA Today. His credentials surely make him worthy of such an honor.

So where does the courage come in? Curley asked the NRS audience, “How many other journalists do you see winning awards these days?” RIT, he decided, was truly going out on a limb.