News Release: March 17, 2009

Death of IJNR Trustee Reese Cleghorn

Reese Cleghorn, a leader in American journalism education who served for 11 years as an IJNR Trustee, died early Monday morning at his home in Washington, DC. He was 78.

Members of the IJNR community mourn this loss of a generous and gentle friend. He was a true champion of high standards for journalists everywhere. Many IJNR Fellows met Reese during Institutes, and they knew he had a long career as a newsman and editorial writer. He reported and edited for the Atlanta Journal, South Today, the Charlotte Observer and the Detroit Free Press before beginning a distinguished, two-decade tenure as dean of the University of Maryland's College of Journalism. Under his leadership, the college became one of the most prominent and highly respected in the nation. He was president emeritus of American Journalism Review. Last November, he was elected IJNR's first trustee emeritus. Throughout his career, he inspired many young and talented journalists.

Many of his longtime colleagues appreciated the cheerful and playful side to Reese's disposition. Not too many years ago, when one of his granddaughters decided to be Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz for Halloween, Reese escorted her around the neighborhood dressed convincingly (and sometimes singing) as the Cowardly Lion. The next Halloween, when his granddaughter dressed up as Madeline, Reese donned a handsome habit to escort her as an extra-tall version of Miss Clavel.

In appreciation of Reese's many contributions to the birthing, expansion, development and cherished independence of IJNR, the Board of Trustees voted last November to build an endowment fund to create and support a new IJNR fellowships program that will bear his name.

He is survived by his widow, Cheree Briggs Cleghorn, his son John and daughter-in-law Kelly, and their two daughters. On Thursday, March 26, at 3:00 PM, what Reese would consider a "proper" Presbyterian funeral service will be held at the Memorial Chapel on the University of Maryland campus. Reese's son John will help organize a memorial celebration that will be held at the Cosmos Club in perhaps six to eight weeks.