SBU Dean Mourns Loss of News, WNY Icon Tim Russert

“Meet the Press” moderator Tim Russert was remembered as a journalism giant Friday by Lee Coppola, dean of St. Bonaventure University’s Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“The world of journalism has lost an icon and Western New York has lost its greatest ambassador,” Coppola said.

Russert, a political analyst well known for his pointed questioning, died unexpectedly Friday in Washington, D.C.

Recognized for his achievements and contributions as a journalist and for his strong devotion to his family and his faith, Russert received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Bonaventure in 2001.

Coppola attributed the enormous respect Russert garnered — from politicians to the public — to his blue-collar Buffalo roots.

“That’s because he came from common people,” said Coppola, who presented Russert with his honorary degree from the University in 2001. “No one ever looked at him as an erudite person.”

During his address, Russert reminisced about his Buffalo roots and called on members of the Class of 2001 to succeed, but remember the little guy.

He told the graduates that he was the first to attend college in his family, the son of a truck driver and sanitation worker who worked two jobs for 37 years to support his family. He encouraged the class to take on the challenges ahead: “You were born to be players in this extraordinary blessing called life … Remember the people struggling alongside you and below you.”

He told them to teach their children not only to love others, but to respect them also.

“No exercise is better for a human heart than reaching down to help another. Please build a future we can be proud of,” Russert said.

Growing up in South Buffalo, Russert lived 12 houses away from Bona great Whitey Martin, whose retired jersey hangs in the Reilly Center Arena on campus, and he even scrimmaged Bona and NBA great Bob Lanier.

St. Bonaventure will fly the University flag at half staff in honor of Russert beginning Saturday morning.