If you're a CBC Radio listener, you likely already know how often City Program director Gordon Price volunteers his expertise and insight to enrich media coverage of urban planning issues.

Last week it was my pleasure to formally recognize that extraordinary commitment by presenting Gordon with the 2012 President's Award for Service to the University Through Public Affairs and Media Relations. (You can see a list of past winners here.)

I asked Gordon (himself an active blogger!) if he'd share his thoughts on engaging media. Here's what he had to say...

Let's be honest: when media call me for a quote, I know that if it wasn't for the SFU connection...well, I'd be just another guy with an opinion. 

Hopefully, a well-informed one – an opinion based on a combination of experience, learning and an articulate point of view – but I know (and the interviewer knows) it's the institution that adds the credibility.

So it's extraordinarily gratifying to receive recognition from the president of an organization that is way smarter than me. 

In fact, to be just one of the folks who give a public face to SFU is an honour in itself, since those other voices – and there are many – are the ones that collectively result in SFU pulling well above its weight when it comes to media visibility.

Some of that, though, is a consequence of the work behind the scenes: to those in External Relations who make the contacts and make sure the stories get told.

So I'm gratified (and a little surprised) at getting an award for just doing my job, which, as a voice for the SFU City Program, is part of what it means to be an "engaged university" – adding to the dialogue that makes Vancouver and SFU a working relationship.

You can follow Gord's spirited musings on urban planning via his blog, or on Twitter: @pricetags