Background

Following Dr. Russell J. Jandoli’s death in 1991, the Department of Mass Communication decided to be renamed as the Russell J. Jandoli Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. On May 15, 1992, the University Board of Trustees unanimously approved to rename the department. The Naming Celebration for the department took place on October 30 and 31, 1992 at St. Bonaventure University. In the invitation for the event, the University explained that “naming the department after our founder, friend and mentor is confirmation of our commitment to follow his direction and strive to be outstanding communicators.”

Dr. Russell J. Jandoli Achievements

He founded the Journalism and Mass Communication (J/MC) Department in 1949, two years after arriving in Allegany, NY. Prior to his work at St. Bonaventure University, Jandoli was a reporter and city editor for the Puerto Rico World Journal in San Juan, a correspondent for TIME magazine. During WWII, he was a copy editor for the Stars and Stripes paper in Honolulu. In 1940 he earned his Bachelor’s degree in History with a Minor in journalism from the University of Notre Dame. In 1941 he earned a Master’s degree at Columbia University in 1941 and his PhD in social sciences from NYU in 1956. Jandoli founded the St. Bonaventure University Mark Hellinger Award, which is presented to a graduating senior every year with great academic achievement in journalism. He also began the Bob Considine Award which is given to journalists of high morals. Dr. Russell J. Jandoli died at age 72 on June 10, 1991 (St. Bonaventure University Office of Public Relations, 1992).

Naming Celebration Activities

Naming Celebration Invitation and Order of Events, 1992.

During the weekend of October 30, 1992, the University celebrated the official new naming of the Journalism Department with a Writers’ Symposium and Career Day for the students. The Symposium featured two Pulitzer Prize winners and other Bonaventure Alumni in panel discussions and workshops. On October 31, Hal Crowther, 1992 winner of the Baltimore Sun’s H.L. Mencken Award, spoke at the Mecon Academic Center’s Dresser Auditorium. To follow, an All Saint’s Eve Mass signified the official change in the Department’s name. Finishing off the weekend, a reception and banquet was held in the Trustees Room of Doyle Hall.

Naming Celebration Guests and Appearances

Pulitzer Prize winners Robert Dubill and John Hanchette
Dubill and Hanchette were Alumni to the J/MC department, and former students of Dr. Russell J. Janodli. The two participated in the panel discussion of the Naming Celebration, sharing their knowledge and expertise in the field of journalism.

Hal Crowther
Crowther was the 1992 winner of the Baltimore Sun’s H.L. Mencken’s Award, and columnist for the Independent of Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. He spoke to guests in the Dresser Auditorium, discussing the importance of reading and writing. He also discussed Jandoli’s devotion to his students, wishing to see them travel far and to be honest people in the media position (Olean Times Herald, November 8, 1992). On the back of the Naming Celbration program, a copy of his article, "Novice Master," was printed. To read the entire article, click here.

Catherine Jandoli
Catherine Jandoli was the wife of Dr. Russell J. Jandoli. During the weekend events she spoke to the guests by giving a speech. One highlight was when she told the students and how important they were to her late husband. She emphasized that he would spend hours devoting himself to grading their papers because his students were his life, his love (Olean Times Herald, November 8, 1992).

Catherine Jandoli, behind the podium, at the Naming Celebration, 1993.

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