J-school loses dedicated professor

Professor of Advertising Ron Spielberger and longtime executive director of College Media Association died the day after Christmas.

He suffered from a stroke and heart attack at his home. He left behind his wife Debbie and his daughter Robin. He was 74.

Spielberger would teach at the University of Memphis for 47 years, educating hundreds of journalists and guiding them to careers in news and advertising.

 

“He was the tall, dapper guy who so generously offered advice and encouragement to journalism students, colleagues and alumni alike.†-Darrin Devault 

Most students and fellow professors knew Spielberger by his friendly demeanor and his penchant for wearing a suit and tie to class, said Darrin Devault, instructor and coordinator of the online under- graduate program at the U of M.

“Anyone who walked the halls of the Meeman Journalism Building over the past four and a half decades had the good fortune to cross paths with Ron Spielberger,†Devault said. “He was the tall, dapper guy who so generously offered advice and encouragement to journalism students, colleagues and alumni alike.â€

Spielberger also served at one time as advertising advisor for The Daily Helmsman where he came into contact with hundreds of future professionals in news and advertising.

“Ron was a staunch supporter of our efforts to produce a quality independent student news product,†Devault, a former Helmsman reporter, said “He also exhibited an unlimited amount of patience with the sometimes rowdy students in the Helmsman newsroom, which was then located next to his corner office on the third floor of Meeman.â€

Spielberger graduated from the University of Memphis, then Memphis State, in 1964. with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and advertising and a minor in Sociology, and Ohio State University in 1965 with a Master of Arts degree in journalism and public relations. He started teaching at the U of M just four years later.

While continuing to teach he started working for the College Media Association in the early 1982 as the executive director. He held that position, for 28 years. Even after he left that position he contin- ued to for the association by chairing the Hall of Fame committee and serving on the advisory council. 

 

 

“I grew up learning his students’ names because he would talk about them so much.†-Robin Spielberger, Daughter of Ron

Robin Spielberger, Ron’s daughter, described his father as kind and gentle.

Family was extremely important to Spielberger. After teaching, he would go to a grocery store and cook dinner for his wife and daughter, she said.

Robin also said that he loved teaching and often bragged about his students.

“I knew the names of students’ I never met,†she said. “I grew

up learning his students’ names because he would talk about them so much.â€

He could also be a big party animal at times, Robin said.

A new scholarship has been set up in Spielberger’s name. To donate go to memphis.edu/give and designate the money to “Professor Ron Spielberger Memorial Journalism Scholarship.â€