Indiana University School of Journalism

Home » News » School celebrates careers of four retiring faculty

Photo by Jim Kelly

From left, professors Dave Boeyink, Dave Nord, Dave Weaver and Jack Dvorak contributed to the school as teachers and researchers for more than two decades. They all retire at the end of the year.

The School of Journalism faculty, staff and students celebrated the careers of four professors who retire at the end of fall semester with a reception Wednesday in the Indiana Memorial Union.

Professors Dave Boeyink, Jack Dvorak, Dave Nord and Roy W. Howard Professor Dave Weaver were honored with speeches, applause and refreshments in the Solarium. Dean Brad Hamm welcomed attendees, who included the professors' family and friends, before turning over the program for introductions.

Professor Claude Cookman reviewed the career of Dave Boeyink, who specializes in journalism pedagogy and ethics. Professor emeritus Jon Dilts recapped the career of Jack Dvorak, who led the High School Journalism Institute and taught master's degree candidates who aimed to serve as high school publications teachers, among others.

Associate professor Owen Johnson described the career path of Nord, who has established himself in journalism history research and now is editor of the History News Service. Professor Lars Willnat, once Weaver's student, talked about Weaver's contributions in the field of agenda-setting research.

Each professor then spoke a few words about his time at the school. As with many careers, none of the four said they set out to spend so many years at the school. Nord described his decision-making on a snowy night when he encountered then-dean Richard Gray on a walk through campus. A few quiet words underscored Nord's feelings for the campus and the school, and he stayed. 

Weaver, for one, said he plans to continue to be a presence at Ernie Pyle Hall as he continues his research in retirement.

Questions? Comments? Email the Web editor.