A Legacy Remains

Dr. Lee Thornton, a journalist, teacher, friend, and family member passed away at the age of seventy one in her Bethesda home. In a statement given to the Washington Post by her sister, Marilyn; Dr. Thornton lost the battle to pancreatic cancer on September 25.

Thornton broke barriers within the industry with a masters in radio, TV and film (RTVF) from Northwestern University. In 1974, she landed a gig at CBS News and in a few years the network deemed her the White House Correspondent during Carter's presidency; making her the first African American to cover the White House at a major network. After her short stint at a CBS affiliate in Detroit, Michigan; Thornton found herself at National Public Radio (NPR) in 1982, hosting the weekend program of "All Things Considered".

In the 1980's, Thornton switched gears for a bit. After becoming a Washington reporter for the American Business Network she came to the "Mecca" and began teaching journalism at Howard's University's School of Communications. According to Carol Dudley, the director of the Office of Career and Development, Thornton was "extremely professional, if not overly professional", she didn't share much of her personal life with faculty members. Her professional attitude combined with her teaching methods influenced students to make a difference in the media industry.  She left "a strong reputation of producing broadcast graduates...her training was just undeniable", said Dudley.

In 1992, she became a senior producer at CNN, handling the production of many public affairs show, one being the infamous "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson". Yet Thornton couldn't stay away from teaching. In the late 90's she became a professor at another school in close proximity. She taught a vast range of classes at the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, a part of the University of Maryland in College Park.

Thornton made sure to leave her mark. Playing a very active role at the Merrill College of Journalism she was able to produce the show "Front and Center" for the schools cable channel, then became the first female interim dean for the college between 2008 and 2009, and lastly she served as the Interim Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity, before retiring in 2011.

Other accomplishments of hers included: being the Washington chapter president for the Society of Professional Journalists', serving as board of the Radio TV News Directors Association of Washington, as well as chair of the President's Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues. Dr. Lee Thornton imprints within the media industry makes her legacy unforgettable. Dudley believes she broke stereotypes that  "black woman in particular aren't as good as black males; who aren't as good as white women, who aren't as good as white males".


SOURCE Washington Post NPR UMD Phillip Merrill College UMD Office of Provost