Paul Joosse's expression could be described as somewhere between shock and surprise as University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera interrupted a class he was lecturing in recently.
The president was on hand to award Joosse for his significant work with the media. Joosse, in addition to responding to numerous media inquiries on last fall's Encana bombings, also engaged media through writing editorial opinion articles that were published in the Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun.
In addition to her personal thanks, President Samarasekera provided the class with some background of his personal and academic accomplishments before presenting him with a gift card and letter of appreciation.
Joosse was the first recipient of the media recognition award, an ongoing initiative of Office of the President that recognizes professors whose exceptional work with the media brings recognition to the University of Alberta.