We have lost a great spirit in Carol Horner
Update: Gene Robert's eulogy in honor of Carol Horner is now online.
Oct. 27, 2008
Word is spreading that our world is less bright today. Carol Horner, 63, director of the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, passed away late last week.
We remember Carol as passionate journalist and tireless leader of the Knight Center. Just as importantly, we will remember her for her ability to fill the room and our lives with her smile, sense of humor, Southern charm and her grace. Former Inquirer Editor and Carol's good friend Gene Robers told that paper: "She was probably the most alive person on The Inquirer." We're positive she was the most alive person at the Knight Center and we'll miss her greatly.
The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer have written obituaries, filled with great remembrances of Carol.
http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/20081026_Former_Inquirer_reporte...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/26/AR200810...
You can share your remembrances of Carol by emailing the Knight Center at knight@umd.edu. Please note if you'd like us to share your note publicly on our website. We'll share others with her family.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow at Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Ave., Richmond, Va. Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland is also endowing a scholarship in Carol's honor with an initial contribution from the Knight Foundation.
Checks should be made out to "University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc." or "UMCP Foundation, Inc." (The foundation is the IRS-approved entity that administers all gifts made at the university.) On the memo area of the check or on a separate note, write "Carol Horner Scholarship."
Send to:
Sheila Young, Assistant Dean
Philip Merrill College of Journalism
1117 Journalism Building
College Park, MD 20742
syoung@jmail.umd.edu.
You may also make memorial donations to the Partnership for Animal Welfare, Box 1074, Greenbelt, Md. 20768, or to the American Lung Association of Virginia, 9221 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, Va. 23235.
Burial is in Westhampton Memorial Park & Chapel Mausoleum, Richmond.
There will also be a memorial service is Washington, D.C. at a later date.
Over the years, I attended so many Knight Foundation seminars for editorial writers that Knight retired my wooden plaque and started handing out paper graduation documents to insert behind the glass. Carol was very charming in her handling of this and other eccentricities connected with the annual seminars. If the bus got caught in traffic en route to the State Department, she had useful and funny things to say to make the time fly. If the guest speaker suddenly announced he wouldn't talk unless we agreed to the Cambridge Rules (as John Bolton did one year), she did her best to let us know we'd be sorry if we agreed to them. She was right, too. He said something astonishing, an outright lie, but since we couldn't quote him as the source (Cambridge rules!) there was no story.
Carol kept the program running on schedule, keeping the noses to the grindstone of both the journalists and the guest speakers, whether it was Rummy at the Pentagon, Al Gore at the Old Executive Office Building or a bunch of generals at the Press Club. She contributed a good deal to American journalism in the course of her work, and was also a first-rate human being.
- Carol R. Richards, ex-deputy editor of the editorial pages, Newsday (Long Island) -- now adjunct lecturer at the Merrill College of Journalism
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What a vibrant personality, always friendly, funny and full of enthusiasm for life and for journalism. For years I have admired the way she presided over the dinners that began the Knight Center workshops - reaching out to everyone in the room and including each individual in the Knight Center family. It was a joy to be
around her. She personified graciousness and friendliness combined with a sharp mind and superb organizational skills. She will be missed more than I can say. With sympathy,
- Maurine H. Beasley, professor emerita, journalism
--
During a three-day
What class. I only knew her for three days, but figured out in that very short time what a wonderful person Carol Horner was.
- Kathleen Gallagher
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What can I say about Carol Horner? I knew her for five short days, yet she has been a daily inspiration in my life, and will continue to be for as long as I'm a journalist.
Sure, her vibrant personality was one of her great assets, but she also had this wonderful warm, comfortable side. She was someone who could take a stranger and turn them into a friend within minutes. She was someone I wish I could have spent many many more days with.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Business Reporter, Poughkeepsie Journal
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I’m deeply saddened to learn of Carol’s death. It was Carol’s irresistible invitation to apply for a Knight Center fellowship that led to two wonderful seminars at the University of Maryland earlier this decade. And it was Carol who made me feel welcome, like some long-lost friend, and got me excited about the programs she put together. I came, in just those two visits, to identify the center with Carol and her personality, and I now regret that I haven’t been back for a few years, not just for the learning experience but to get revved up by her enthusiasm for the profession and her engaging personality.
- David W. Kubissa, Associate Editor, Star-Gazette
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I am deeply saddened by the news of Carol's death. I only knew her for 4 days when I participated in the Knight Center Seminar last month, but before I left I thanked Carol for her beautiful spirit. She was a very special person and you can feel the kindness and love that came from her heart even in a professional setting. May she rest in peace.
- Sandra Peebles, Health reporter/News anchor, Univision 23, Miami
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I feel privileged to have met Carol earlier this year. Her passing is truly a loss to the journalism world. I hope her friends and family will take comfort in knowing that her teaching lives on in me and the hundreds of journalists she helped train.
- Samantha Young, The Associated Press
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The two highlights of my life in my journalistic career were when I had the opportunity to have a Knight Fellowship and be in her company for almost a month in 2002 and again for almost a week last month during one of her carefully crafted seminars. I will remember her generous spirit, her warmth, her wonderful stories, her sharing resources and above all, the opportunities she gave journalists like myself to get out behind the desk and explore. No one could replace her wit, charm and grace.
Please inform me of the date of her memorial service.
With deepest regrets,
- Cheryl Weinstock, freelance journalist
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One can't recall attending a Knight Center seminar - I've attended two in recent years - and not think of the great job that Carol did keeping those few days of intense discussion and learning on time and on topic. "She who must be obeyed" was bright, funny and memorable. Her untimely death is shocking and sad.
- Herb Field, Editorial Writer, The Patriot-News Co.
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Reporters, editors and editorial writers have lost a great friend and a unique personality with the passing of Carol Horner. I had the privilege of attending four Knight Center sessions for editorial writers, ably and admirably hosted by Carol and her crew at the University of Maryland. Carol’s knowledge of issues and ability to lineup some of the best panelists available were impressive, but what I will always carry with me are memories of her humor, her southern charm and her gift of making everyone feel welcome and included. She may not have carried the title of “working journalist” while at the helm at the Knight Center, but she used every bit of her skills in questioning, interviewing and drawing out information from panelists and Fellows alike.
There is hardly a conference I attend since my experiences at Knight when I don’t think of Carol when it comes to Q&A time, for I always hear her instructions to the Knight Fellows, offered in that delightful southern lilt, “State your name and what paper you’re with”
Carol was a wonderful partner with the National Conference of Editorial Writers and all of our members are diminished by the loss of such a charming advocate for the craft of opinion writing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Carol’s family, and with the fine folks at the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism who have lost more than a colleague. She was an inspiration.
- Jill "J.R." Labbe, Deputy Editorial Page Editor, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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I was very sad today to learn of the death of Carol Horner. I met Carol in May during a Knight Center for Specialized Journalism seminar on climate change. I felt I had known her much longer than that. Carol had those rare qualities of grace, intelligence, warmth and spirit. She knew how to make everyone feel comfortable and her enthusiasm for journalism was contagious. Please extend my sympathies to her family.
Warmly,
- Lisa Palmer, Freelance Writer & Editor
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I came to know Carol by attending fellowship programs five times over the past few years. Carol could brighten up a room, make speakers feel at ease (even while keeping them to 20-minute-or-less Power Points!) and keep journalists herded without making them upset (a true skill!). When you think of a Knight Center fellowship, it's really the people who make it special. And Carol's humor and warm, welcoming personality did just that. It's hard to believe someone so alive could be gone so quickly -- far too soon. It's a great loss.
Susan Valot, Southern California Public Radio
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Not sure when or how I met Carol, but I every time I saw her or talked with her by phone she made me feel better with her zen for life attitude. We talked about links to Philly and Richmond, industry changes, journalism in general, and, of course, she was always trying to get me to send someone to the Knight Center for training.
Thank you Carol. You made journalism and life better.
Glenn Proctor, Vice President and Executive Editor, Richmond Times-Dispatch
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I was very sorry to hear about Carol's death. When she got the job at the Knight Center, I thought it was pure genius on the part of the person who hired her. She's a top-notch journalist and the queen of hospitality. She had a gift of making everyone feel welcome and turning anything into a party. Which leads to my favorite Carol memory. Back in the mid-1980s, Carol threw a big party at her house in West Philadelphia. It was an important occasion in Carol's life and as usual, she made sure her friends (and that's loosely defined because everyone is Carol's friend) would be there to help her celebrate. What was this important occasion? Carol had just acquired her first washer and dryer! No more schlepping to the laundromat! We all paid our respects to her appliances and then got down to partying.
- Jane Von Bergen, Inquirer alum
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What a shock -- I don't recall ever meeting anyone more alive than Carol. She combined enthusiasm and relentless attention to quality with humor and compassion.
I wish I lived close enough to go to Richmond for the funeral.
- Bob Zientara, Ames Tribune, Ames, Iowa
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I am so sorry to hear of Carol's passing. I was fortunate enough to participate in a Knight seminar last year where she gracefully and skillfully broadened my knowledge and abilities by exposing me to an amazing cadre of speakers and venues. Her humor and keen journalistic sense made an intense week palatable and valuable. She was a powerful force tempered by the rules of fair play. My condolences to all who feel the void left by her sudden exit.
- Cathy McKitrick, Government Reporter, The Salt Lake Tribune
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I am one of the what now must be hundreds of mid-career journalists who have benefited from one of the multi-day seminars Carol helped put on for the Center for Specialized Journalism. In my case, it was "The Graying of America," held in 2002; the next year, I sent an associate of mine to soak up the richness of another seminar.
So my contact with Carol was limited. Yet when today's announcement hit my inbox, it really made me shake my head sadly.
Although we had not crossed paths for years, Carol's smile and spunk immediately came back to mind. Who can forget the way she'd introduce someone or recognize someone's achievement? Why she'd simply declare, "Hey, everybody, let's give 'Joe' a big 'Yo!'" A huge chorus of "Yo!" would echo back -- with accompanying fist pump, of course.
The other thing I most fondly remember, and hope to emulate, is another cool thing she did while "moderating" sessions. When she introduced a guest speaker she'd reveal to the group something little known or unexpected about herself -- and then she'd ask this august, honored person to do the same about himself or herself. What a perfect ice breaker and charming way to ease us into a new session.
The world needs more of that type of thing. Those who got to know Carol should be grateful for having had the chance.
- Jim Berklan, Editor, McKnight's Long-Term Care News and McKnight's Assisted Living
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I am very saddened to hear the news of Carol's death. She truly was a "spark plug" and I know she will be sorely missed. I met Carol a few years back when attending a fellowship program at the University of Maryland focusing on religion. I really loved her spirit and will always remember her as a dedicated journalist who knew how to make us laugh and knew how to laugh at herself. My prayers and condolences are with her family.
- Colette Jenkins, Religion Writer, Akron Beacon Journal
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I didn't know Carol until I joined the Knight board in 2001. She instantly became a BFF, in that way that Carol 'collects' people. So much fun, so much enthusiasm. A couple dozen Inquirer colleagues came to the funeral in Richmond, and the church rang with their laughter as Gene told stories about Carol. About her professionalism and hard-charging reporting, yes, but also her pranks and party-organizing and thoughtfulness. She was one of a kind.
-Sandy Johnson
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I was so sad to hear about Carol Horner's death. I attended a Knight seminar a few years back and very much enjoyed meeting her.
She was clearly an ace journalist -- who inspired several story ideas, through our mealtime conversations alone -- and who was always quick to offer help or a contact. She was also a marvelous human being, who was very easy to talk to, very
funny and just plain nice.
I was impressed from the get-go.
Please pass along my sympathies to her family and to all who knew her at the University of Maryland. Know that she will be missed by many, many journalists who saw her as a role model. And that, of course, includes me.
Take good care,
- Martha Irvine, AP National Writer, Chicago
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It's incredibly sad to lose Carol. I've been at two sessions on religion, including one specifically on Islam. I was amazed at how, in our sessions, Carol was so engaged with the speakers, sometimes more than the journalists she'd brought together! She was a joy to be around, a warm, thoughtful presence on journalism - an increasing rarity as the industry withers. It's quite a loss for all of us. She and the Knight Center have helped train and improve many of the newsrooms around the country. It's a tremendous legacy she's left.
- Matthai Kuruvila, Religion/Spirituality Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle
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I am so sorry for all of us in journalism. Carol was such a rare combination of tenacity and good humor. "Mean as a snake," she said about her manner of running things on time and insisting we begin by stating our name and media affiliation. I quoted that and used her rules in running a workshop recently. I was blessed to have learned from her.
Condolences to her family and colleagues.
- Marcia Z. Nelson, freelance journalist
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Carol’s enthusiasm and creativity made both of the two Knight fellowships I attended memorable. Carol brought together journalists with different experiences and skills, and offered us a smörgåsbord of story possibilities. What’s more, the intensity and excitement of those programs—the interaction in the classroom, at meals, and even bowling at the student union--sparked enduring friendships not only with fellow writers from around the US, but also with Carol. I’ll miss her. We’ll all miss her.
- Lynne Lamberg
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I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn this week of Carol's passing. Reading fellows' tributes it is clear that Carol had a major impact upon the American journalism scene, but it may surprise some to know her influence extended as far as New Zealand. I attended my first Knight Center seminar in December 2003, and still remember the warmth of Carol's welcome when I arrived at the opening dinner after a long and tiring journey. The seminar itself was a revelation. The quality of speakers, the efficient manner in which the event was run, and the wonderful hospitality of the Knight Center team, was unlike anything I'd experienced. The knowledge and contacts I gained were invaluable.
Much of the seminar's success was due to Carol. Her insistence on punctuality and adherence to the timetable was very much in evidence, yet always conveyed with humour. Her thoughtfulness was apparent not only in her choice of topics and speakers but in the way she looked after people. This impression was confirmed when I attended my second seminar a year later, this time with a colleague - Television New Zealand journalist Cameron Bennett. Like me, he greatly enjoyed his Knight Center experience, and remembers Carol as a gracious, vibrant person - interested as much in people as ideas.
I last saw Carol at a seminar in 2006 and will remember her as charming and courteous, even when her patience was put to the test. I'll remember her delightful practice, on introducing speakers, of following the formal part of their biography with a personal and often amusing piece of information. Learning that a foreign policy scholar dreamed of playing competitive basketball, or that a senior government official got kicked out of high school, generated a lot of laughs and helped create a convivial atmosphere. It was little touches like these that made our Knight Center fellowships not only professionally valuable but personally memorable.
To Carol's family, and to Peggy and the Knight Center team, Cameron and I offer our condolences on the loss of a wonderful colleague and friend.
- Jon Stephenson, TV3 New Zealand and Cameron Bennett, Television New Zealand
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