MU gives Sir Elton documentary photos

Elton John, left, receives a portfolio gift backstage from MU's Pictures of the Year International Director Rick Shaw prior to his Friday evening performance at Mizzou Arena. David Rees, the school's photojournalism sequence chair, joined Shaw for the welcome.   ¦  LEAH GALLO

The Missouri School of Journalism’s Pictures of the Year International program presented Sir Elton John with a welcoming gift during a one-on-one meeting with the singer before his Friday night concert at Mizzou Arena.

John received a portfolio of 20 documentary photos from the program’s archive that depict the fight against the AIDS/HIV epidemic.

John, who has a private photo gallery in Atlanta, is a major contributor to AIDS and HIV research through his organization, The Elton John AIDS Foundation.

“This gift to Sir Elton John is a symbol of our respect for his love of photography and admiration for his noble efforts,” said POYi Director Rick Shaw.

POYi, one of the oldest photojournalism competitions in the world, is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at MU’s School of Journalism.