The Silver Circle honors professionals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the television industry and their communities over careers spanning 25 years or more. The Academy says membership recognizes excellence, leadership, mentorship and a commitment to advancing the profession.
“As a professor, moments like this never feel entirely personal,” Hollis said, “and, in truth, are less about my accomplishments and more about the many students who have trusted me to be part of their journeys. It is not lost on me that their work, the paths they’ve forged and their successes are the real reason for this recognition. This is shared.”
Marshall alum and former student Paul Gessler was the driving force behind Hollis’ nomination.
“Hundreds of Marshall students’ careers can be directly drawn back to his influence, advice and care,” Gessler said. “It is as though there is a metaphorical pipeline of Marshall journalists and communicators propelled by Dan’s love and insight.”
“He’s your No. 1 fan and your (much needed) No.1 critic,” said Bryant Somerville, another former student who wrote a letter of support. “He’s always pushing students to their full potential even when they, themselves, can’t see it.”
The award is just the latest in a long string of awards for Hollis.
He received a regional Emmy Award in 2023 and has three Edward R. Murrow regional awards (2017, 2018 and 2020) for his journalism. He was also in the 2022 class of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Hollis was the 2012 West Virginia Professor of the Year as awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and a two-time finalist (2020 and 2021) for the West Virginia Professor of the Year as awarded by the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia. He was also recognized as the 2020 recipient of the Dr. Charles E. Hedrick Outstanding Faculty Award, the 2011 recipient of the Marshall and Shirley Reynolds Outstanding Teacher Award and the 2000-2001 Pickens-Queen Award for junior faculty. He is also in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame (2020) and is the 2025 recipient of Marshall University’s Distinguished Artists and Scholars Award.
The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is dedicated to recognizing excellence in television and fostering the highest standards of journalism, creativity and innovation. Through awards programs, scholarships and professional development initiatives, the chapter supports media professionals throughout 13 television markets across four states.
Hollis has a degree from the University of Southern Indiana and an advanced degree from the University of Kentucky. He has been with Marshall since 1999.