Staff Editorial: Remembering Lee Hood

Lee Hood, a professor of journalism at Loyola since 2008, passed away the evening of Oct. 8, according to a bereavement notice sent out by the university. From the notes posted on social media to messages sent out by the university, it’s more than apparent just how adored Hood was by her colleagues, friends and family — as students, her presence took on a whole new meeting. 

In the first week of her Introduction to Communications course, she would often ask students to introduce themselves by sharing something memorable. This was an exercise for building out an elevator pitch as preparation to stand out in an interview pool with potentially hundreds of other applicants. She would offer up an example of her own, always revealing with a shy smile she had Frank Sinatra’s FBI files in her office. 

Although her fact was, in fact, memorable, we remember her more for the connections she made with students and for the values she instilled in those who entered her classroom.

We will always remember Hood for her support of our work as student journalists and her outward celebration and support of other student media organizations such as Rambler Sports Locker, WLUW and Inigo Communications. 

If you told Hood about your involvement in any of these organizations, she would often proudly invite you to speak on your experiences there, putting into practice her elevator-pitch pedagogy by allowing you to persuade other students to get involved. It was palpable how much she believed in the work of students and the value of sharing stories. 

Hood was a passionate teacher who cared deeply about what she taught her students. Although the journalism industry of today is drastically different from the one she worked in, she made a Herculean effort to provide her students with the most valuable and up-to-date lessons possible. 

She was one of few professors who permitted the use of AI, so long as students also submitted a summary of their experience with the technology and an explanation of how they used it to their advantage.

It feels a bit surreal to be writing this piece when just a couple weeks ago she was her energetic self, teaching a class full of hopeful journalists. Taking everything she taught us to heart, the editorial staff wanted to share some of what made her so valuable to the Loyola community and so appreciated by the members of The Phoenix.

Those interested in sending their regards can purchase flowers from Philips Flowers in Wheaton, IL by calling 630-510-00401, specifying St. Matthew UCC as the delivery location. To help Hood’s family pay for hospital and funeral bills, visit this link.

The Editorial Board of The Loyola Phoenix consists of Griffin Krueger, Holden Green, Lilli Malone, Hailey Gates, Brendan Parr and Andi Revesz.