School of Communication’s Professor Lee Hood Dead at 64

Dr. Leona Hood Staton, a longtime professor in the School of Communication, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the age of 64. 

Hood worked at Loyola for 15 years where she taught ethics and communication, news casting and producing, broadcast news and TV reporting, according to the SOC website. The cause of death was gallstone and septic shock.

In a school-wide email Oct. 11, Campus Ministry announced Hood’s passing and outlined her prestigious career, including various awards, for her journalism and teaching efforts.

Hood served as a member of the Chicago/Midwest Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which presents Emmy Awards. Hood invited a few students to help produce the Chicago Regional Emmys show each year, according to third-year multimedia journalism major, Natalie King. 

In 2018, Hood was honored as the top professor in the nation for broadcast journalism education with the Edward L. Bliss Award. This honor join the long list of awards for her journalistic work, including an array of Regional Emmy awards.

“Dr. Hood will be remembered by colleagues and students alike for her tireless dedication, her commitment to her craft, and her ability to connect compassionately with others,” Campus Ministry wrote in the email. 

Hood studied at the University of Colorado, earning her Master’s degree in journalism and a PhD in communication and media studies, before turning her focus toward education working as an assistant professor in broadcast journalism at the university.  

Before becoming an educator she had an 18-year career in television news, where she worked as a news producer for Denver 7 and KUSA-TV in Colorado, as well as a freelance writer and producer for Channel 2 KWGN and KCNC.

Hood wore many “hats” in the department — literally and metaphorically. Third-year multimedia journalism major, Rachel Lieberman, who was enrolled in Hood’s Digital Communication and Society class, said Hood would always wear hats. 

“The first day of class she was wearing one coming in and took it off when class started,” Lieberman said. “I was giggling. It was just so her.” 

Other students echoed Hood’s love for hats. It was her niche, a thing distinguishing her amongst her colleagues, according to Regina Pochocki, a fourth-year advertising and public relations major, who said she will miss seeing Hood’s creative hats around the SOC. 

Hood’s professional experience contributed most to her success as an educator according to Lieberman, who said her passion for the field of journalism was evident in her teaching with career knowledge shining through. 

Lucas Kihmm, a spring 2024 multimedia journalism graduate, said much of what he uses in his career he learned from Hood.

“Learning everything she knew about the industry of media and broadcast was so valuable,” Kihmm said. “I really cherished all of those experiences with her.”

Kihmm took four of Hood’s classes during his time at Loyola including Producing and Newcasting, which he said was where he interacted with Hood most. The class had four students, including Kihmm, and during the class they created the Rambler Report, a social media and YouTube based news show where students discussed Loyola, Chicagoland and national news.

Kihmm now works in Madison, Wisconsin as a reporter for WKOW 27 News. He said learning of Hood’s passing, while at work alongside another former Loyola student, was shocking and devastating. 

“I expected Professor Hood to be somebody that I’d always stay in contact with, always ask advice like, ‘What’s my next move after the two year contract?’” Kihmm said. “I always expected that. Maybe I took it for granted at times.” 

In fall 2021, Misha Donnelly, a fourth-year student majoring in advertising and public relations, met Hood for the first time. Hood led Donnelly’s UNIV 101 class and spent some of the time talking about the classes she taught. Her passionate tone is what inspired Donnelly, who entered her first-year of college as a nursing major, later switching into the SOC. 

“Whenever I look back at why I made that decision, I always give Professor Hood credit,” Donnelly said. “I can still remember just how passionate she was about communications. She really inspired me to take that step.”

It wasn’t until Donnelly joined Lambda Pi Eta, the School of Communication Honor Society, that she crossed paths with Hood again. Hood was the advisor for the society where she worked closely with members, especially the executive board, which Donnelly has been part of for the past two years, serving as Membership Coordinator and then as President. 

Donnelly said Hood was always working on administrative duties for the E-board, bringing her friendly personality to conversations with potential new members and helping to promote the group. 

Currently Donnelly is the president of Lambda Pi, and she said her and the society’s vice president, Regina Pochocki, have struggled with the loss of their advisor. 

Ashley Gisiger, associate dean of the School of Communication, reached out to Donnelly and Pochocki Oct. 9 over email to let them know Hood had passed away. Donnelly said getting the email from Gisiger made it truly sink in — it was no longer just a rumor.

Donnelly and Pochocki sent an email to the society Oct. 9, asking for patience as they work to figure everything out and offered support for people who needed a space to talk about Hood’s passing. Pochocki said a number of people reached out expressing their love for Hood. 

“It definitely warms my heart and makes me so happy to see how many people love her, and want her to be remembered, and want her legacy to live on,” Donnelly said. 

Virginia McDermott, dean of the SOC, sent an Oct. 10 email informing students of Hood’s passing and asking for students to unite as a community during this difficult time.

“May we find comfort in our shared memories and the lasting legacy of her dedication to education and student success,” McDermott wrote in the email. 

The email further outlined resources for students who may be having a difficult time processing Hood’s passing, including the Wellness Center, Rev. Jerry Overbeck and Rev. Emily Heitzman.

Donnelly and Pochocki toasted to Hood, lighting a candle and honoring their beloved advisor the day after her passing. Donnelly said she feels like everyone in the SOC is coming together to support each other. 

A memorial service was held for Hood Monday. Oct. 14 at the St. Matthew United Church of Christ. Those interested in helping Hood’s family pay for funeral and medical bills can donate to their GoFundMe.

“She was and is very much loved by so many people,” Rebecca Staton, Hood’s daughter, wrote in the notes of the Go Fund Me page. “Her passing left a hole in our lives which can never be filled.”
Hood is survived by her husband William R. Staton; children Rebecca Staton, Will Staton and Angela McLerran; siblings Larry Hood and Larissa Janee Hood Marchiori; and mother Betty Hood.

Editors note: Rachel Lieberman is a contributing writer for The Phoenix.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Dr. Hood as Leonna Hood Stanton, mislabeled the communications honor society and incorrectly suggested Hood frequently wore berets. These errors have been revised.