Former Medill Dean Edward P. Bassett, who led the school from 1984-89, in a photo taken during his days as dean. Medill faculty and alumni reacted with sadness and fond memories after hearing about the death yesterday morning of former Dean Edward P. Bassett, who led the school from 1984-89. He was 72 and had been undergoing treatment for liver disease.
Folks always appreciate that.
And he did his job with compassion for and with understanding of the students, the staff and the faculty. Folks like that. Professor David Protess recalled that Mr. Bassett supported the school's first offering in investigative journalism in 1985. He pushed hard to get me tenure early and nurtured my first efforts to involve students in reporting on miscarriages of justice. . . . He was a brilliant and compassionate man who boosted faculty morale and revitalized Fisk Hall.