Lady Dhyana Ziegler named Genius Laureate

Lady Dhyana Ziegler, PH.D., a professor of journalism at Florida A&M University (FAMU), has been named a Genius Laureate and her biography is published in the newly-released book titled “500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century.” The book was published by the American Biographical Institute and highlights geniuses around the world. Ziegler’s biography is published in the special dedication section of the book for the Albert Einstein Dedication and Genius Laureates.

According to J. M. Evans, chairman of the ABI Governing Board of Editors, “500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century pays particular tribute to a select number of individuals whose biographies appear in the sections of the Albert Einstein Genius Dedication and Genius Laureate. Their names will become etched in living history as some of the greatest components of the 21st Century intellectualism and intelligence.”

Ziegler said, “It’s still surreal and I have yet to really grasp the magnitude of this honor. It is so much bigger than I see myself. However, these honors usually come when someone is dead. I am happy that it is coming during my lifetime and my mother and family are still alive to share this moment in time with me. It is a humbling experience.”

The “500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century” book is only available to research libraries and professionals whose biographies are published in the book. It is registered at the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

About Dhyana Ziegler
Ziegler joined the FAMU faculty in 1997 as the Garth Reeves Eminent Scholar in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication after spending 14 years at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

In 2007, Ziegler was featured in another book, “The Black Digital Elite,” highlighting African Americans in information technology published by Gale Research. Ziegler is the only woman featured in the book that includes Richard Parsons from AOL/Time Warner, John Johnson, and the late Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown. Ziegler is also an author who has published two books, several books chapters, and other journals and professional articles on communications and technology. She currently writes a blog for Women that Network. Ziegler has also been selected eight times as either one of the Top 50 African Americans in Technology by Blackmoney.com and/or the Top 100 in The Black Engineers and Information Technology magazine. She received the honor again this year from Blackmoney.com. Ziegler was selected Alumna of the Year in 2007 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) and delivered the spring commencement speech for the SIUC College of Education.

In 2008, Ziegler was knighted as a Dame of Justice by Chivalric Order of the Knights of Justice at the University of Cambridge in England. A year earlier, she was awarded a bronze medal for meritorious service from the Chivalric Order of the Knights of Justice at Warwick Castle for her outstanding contributions to education.

As a three-time Governor’s Appointee to the Board of Trustees for the Florida Virtual School, Ziegler serves on several boards including the Southern Scholarship Foundation; the Florida Tax Watch Center for Education, Productivity and Accountability; Florida African American Education Alliance; the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce; and serves as co-chair of the Ambassadors for the University Center Club. She also serves on the Board of Visitors for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, College of Communications, where she taught for several years. Ziegler was also appointed to a five-year term on the academic board for the London College for Higher Education. The London College is an international university and includes scholars from around the world. She is the only female representative on the board. Ziegler is also a member of the Tallahassee Kiwanis Club, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Kappa Phi and several other honorary and civic organizations.

Throughout her academic career, she has received several honors and awards for her achievements and is a charter inductee in the University of Tennessee’s African American Hall of Fame. She is credited for being the only African American elected as the president of the Faculty Senate in the history of the University. To date, she still holds that status.