James W. Schwartz, long-time head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, for whom Iowa State’s highest journalism-related honor—the Schwartz Award—is named, passed away on July 12, 2011 surrounded by family in Edina, Minn. He was 95 years old.

Born on April 18, 1916, in Fenton, Iowa, Jim edited small-town newspapers, pioneered television news broadcasting in central Iowa, and became head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State University, where he retired in 1979 as Emeritus Professor.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Evelyn S. (more familiarly known as Toni) Schwartz; sons J. Michael (Linda), Bloomington, Minn., and Jeffrey (Jeanne) Leawood, Kan; sister Elizabeth Weisbrod, Richmond, Va; five grand- children, Nathan (Kristin), Jaclyn (Chris Napier), Colin, Lindsey, and Stephanie; and six great-grandchildren: Allison, Benjamin, Carolyn, Natalie and Jessica Schwartz, and Cooper Napier.  Services were held Saturday, July 23, at 3 p.m. at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church at 50th and Knox in Minneapolis.

A private burial and memorial gathering at the Iowa State University cemetery took place in Ames on Sept. 17.  Watch presentations from the event below.  Click Here for the complete transcripts of the event.

Mike Schwartz, son of Jim Schwartz

Tom Beell, Professor at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Eldean (Dean) Borg, 1959 Graduate

Bob Kern, Former Faculty Colleague and Director of Extension Communication

Barbara Mack Professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication and former student

Herb Strentz,  Former Dean of Drake University Journalism School

Bill Monroe, Former Head of Iowa Press Association, former student, and Schwartz Award recipient

Chuck Knapp, friend of son Mike and former student

Wayne Davis, former newspaper publisher, instructor, ISU Center director of public relations and Schwartz Award recipient.

Abby Ostrem, Jim Schwartz’ office secretary

Garrett O’Keefe, former graduate student

Jeanne Schwartz, wife of Jeff Schwartz and former student

Eric Abbott Professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication and former student