Dean's Update: January 2024

January 24, 2024

Shari Veil

Dear alumni and friends,

What does it mean to leave a legacy?

This month’s newsletter includes the largely self-written obituary from the one and only George Tuck. He was a photographer, friend, colleague, student advocate, and above all, Texan. He spent 33 years educating photojournalism students at the University of Nebraska. He spent his years in retirement continuing to brag about his students (even those who didn’t pursue a career in photography). Alums have told me they can’t take a picture with their phone without hearing George’s voice in their head. 

Ever a teacher, George donated his body to the Nebraska Anatomical Board. So, at his request, there was no funeral service. Instead, a Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. in Andersen Hall, complete with a gallery of his framed photographs.

George’s black and white and highly altered color photos have been exhibited in the Sheldon Museum, Center for Great Plains Studies, Stuhr Museum, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kiechel Fine Arts, Haydon Art Gallery, Modem Arts Midwest, as well as in galleries in Brazil, France, Germany, Russia and Mexico. If you want to take home a piece of art home from George’s celebration of life, he only asks that you donate to the fund he established for photojournalism students at Nebraska. Because that is just something George would do. We’ll send more information about George’s Celebration of Life and legacy next month. Until then, you can read about Professor Tuck in his own words.

On March 5, the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues, in partnership with the college, will host a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario. Celebrated for her humanitarian and human rights photography work, Addario’s images in The New York Times, National Geographic, and TIME magazine powerfully capture global conflicts and crises. Her talk, “Of Love & War: Stories of Tragedy & Resilience,” will be held at 7 p.m. on March 5 in the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are available now. Please join us!

This newsletter features stories about several of our stellar faculty, including Valerie JonesJemalyn GriffinFrauke Hachtmann and Kelli Boling, as well as superstar alums Mike DavisDominique Kelley and all the Huskers on the Move.

We are delighted to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Jerry and Karla Huse Professor of Media Law Michael Park, and celebrate our students who recently received Nebraska Broadcasting Scholarships, were named to the Dean’s List and were selected for the Big Ten All-Academic Team. We’d also like to congratulate the Huskers who won HearstPaper Anvil and CoJMC Awards.

Looking for some inspiration? Check out the stories on budding sports photographer Dillon Galloway and “champion” Drew Baldridge.

You can show your love for the CoJMC by participating in the upcoming Glow Big Red campaign. Support student experiences, scholarships, KRNU and more! “Glow” all in and help us meet the challenges of Todd MunsonJim and Meg Lauerman, Mario Scalora and Angie Klein. The more you give, the more they give!

Go Big Red!

Shari