For generations of students at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Dr. Wilma Crumley was more than a professor. She was a life-changing mentor who inspired leadership and critical thinking in her teaching and everyday activism.
When alum Glenn Friendt ('69) was a student at Nebraska, he didn't imagine he'd one day lead his own companies or build a career at a Fortune 500 firm, but a pivotal conversation with Crumley helped him see a more corporate career path that led to three job offers after 28 rejection letters.
Friendt, who was looking for an adventure, declined midwest-centric offers from General Electric and John Deere and accepted a position with Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
"It was absolutely the perfect way to start a career," Friendt said. "They were such a quality company with some terrific internal training programs, and I believe I owe it all to Dr. Crumley."
He also credits Crumley's mentorship and the opportunities she championed, including honors seminars and national student conferences, with putting him ahead of the curve.
"She helped us explore media research topics that were groundbreaking at the time, like cognitive dissonance," Friendt said. "That understanding has stayed with me my whole life and career."
Crumley was the first woman to become a full professor at the J School in 1965, and in 1966, she was the fourth woman to receive a Ph.D from the University of Missouri.
She established the college's graduate program, which she chaired, and served terms as Associate Dean and Chairwoman of the Advertising Department. In 1977, Crumley attended the National Women's Conference as an official observer and was a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, whereas the Nebraska delegation was anti-ERA.
Crumley also served as Secretary of the UNL Faculty Senate from 1979 to 1980 and was the Martha H. Hitchcock Distinguished Professor from 1983 to 1991.
Today, her legacy lives on through the Dr. Wilma Crumley Legacy Fellowship, which provides financial support to students pursuing a graduate degree in Integrated Media Communications. Learn more and give to the fellowship here: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01171500/
