Gilbert and Martha Hitchcock Professor Barney McCoy will retire in December 2025 after nearly two decades of teaching and creative work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
McCoy joined the college in 2006 after a 27-year career as a broadcast journalist. At UNL, he has taught news literacy, multimedia, broadcast news, journalism, documentary and depth reporting courses. His blend of real-world experience and commitment to the First Amendment shaped generations of student journalists.
“Barney has set an extraordinary standard for excellence in our college,” said Rick Alloway, associate professor of broadcasting. “He balances deep journalistic rigor with compassion and mentorship. He inspires his students and colleagues to tell stories that serve the public and strengthen our democracy.”
McCoy’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. His creative work has been honored with national and regional awards, including six Emmys and multiple honors from the Broadcast Education Association and the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. His documentaries have aired on public television and earned recognition for uncovering history and amplifying stories of service, courage and community.
In 2025, his documentary “Running Towards the Fire: A War Correspondent’s Story” received the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. The film chronicles the life of Omaha-born Reuters war correspondent Robert Reuben and was produced in partnership with Nebraska Public Media. It premiered as part of the network’s Veterans Day programming and is available on the PBS app.
McCoy’s scholarship includes national surveys on digital distraction in college classrooms. His research has been downloaded more than 69,000 times by more than 4,200 institutions in 182 countries, contributing to ongoing conversations about teaching and media consumption in the digital era.
“For nearly 20 years, Barney has been a pillar of our college,” said Shari Veil, Jane T. Olson Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “He combines creativity, curiosity and an unwavering belief in the value of journalism. His work has elevated our students, our community and our profession.”
His earlier films include “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War,” winner of a national Sigma Delta Chi Award in 2018, as well as “Seven Years a Correspondent,” “Exploring the Wild Kingdom” and “They Could Really Play the Game: Reloaded.” His productions have earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Accolade Global Film Competition, the Impact DOCS Global Documentary Competition, the Heartland Regional Emmys and many other organizations.
Before joining UNL, McCoy worked as a documentary director and producer, reporter, photographer, news producer and anchor. His reporting and storytelling spanned local, national and international stories.
McCoy holds a master’s degree in telecommunications management from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. He served as a visiting professor at the Kosovo Institute of Journalism and Communication in Prishtina, Kosovo, from 2006 to 2010.
Throughout his career at UNL, McCoy has been known for his high standards, his enthusiasm for teaching and his dedication to student success.
McCoy leaves a legacy of impactful storytelling, award-winning creative work and generations of graduates who carry his lessons into newsrooms and communities across the world.
Current and former students and colleagues are invited to send messages to McCoy on his retirement. To send a message, click the link below.
