Presidential Statement of Respect for Evonne H. Whitmore

Aug. 29, 2011 | Whereas Dr. Evonne “Von” Whitmore was an esteemed and beloved colleague providing significant service to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) for well over a decade, including, most recently, chairing its Council of Divisions and in that capacity serving on the Board of Directors, and was always a thoughtful, responsible colleague and role model for service to journalism and advocate of diversity; and

Whereas Von Whitmore had a deep and profound impact on friends, colleagues, and students at Kent State University, where she completed her Ph.D. in 2004 and wrote a dissertation, “An Historical Perspective On The Accrediting Council On Education in Journalism and Mass Communications from 1986-2003: Examination Of The Impact On Curriculum” and where she was a role model and taught courses in broadcast producing, ethics and theory; and

Whereas Von Whitmore was author of many essays and reports about struggles for racial and gender equity, publishing articles in Journalism and Mass Communication Educator and newsletters for various groups within AEJMC; and

Whereas she was an officer for AEJMC’s Commission on the Status of Minorities of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, and also edited its Newsletter “Twelve,” named in honor of the accreditation standard requiring diversity; and

Whereas Von Whitmore served as Teaching Standards Chair for AEJMC’s Minorities and Communication Division, 2002-2003, and also edited the newsletter of the Minority Division of the Broadcast Education Association, 1990-1991;

Whereas she was a highly respected leader in AEJMC’s Commission on the Status of Women, serving as Research Chair, 2004-2005, and Chair, 2006-2007; and

Whereas she admirably served AEJMC’s Internships and Careers Interest Group, serving as chair 2003-2004, Vice Head and Program Chair in 2002-2003, and contributing a regular column to the ICIG newsletter; and

Whereas she was able to ground her broadcast journalism teaching and her articles about broadcast education in her valuable experiences as the general manager of WHOV-FM, at Hampton University, and as a reporter at ABC affiliate WVEC-TV in Hampton Roads, and at CBS affiliates WTKR-TV and WTAR radio; and

Whereas Von Whitmore spent 2008 as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Egypt, promoting internationally accepted principles that will increase the credibility of Egyptian journalists;

Therefore be it resolved that we remember and commemorate the advocacy and intellectual work, and the generous service of Prof. Whitmore.

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