Long-Time Iowa State Journalism Professor Barbara Mack Dies
Mack was found unresponsive in her home.
Barbara Mack, a media law professor at the Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State University and an attorney, has died.
Michael Bugeja, Greenlee School of Journalism chair, confirmed her death Thursday morning and said he planned to post more information on the school's website because he has become inundated with calls.
Read more on Mack.
In a statement posted on the Des Moines Register site, Bugeja said that Mack thought she was having a heart attack on Wednesday and was released from the hospital after an evaluation. When her husband, Jim Giles, went to check on her at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday he “found her gone.”
Mack was 59.
Mack began working for Iowa State University in 1986. She took partial retirement in 2011, but planned to resume teaching last fall, according to her Greenlee bio. The ISU Alumni foundation called her the go-to for guidance, stating she had been a “trusted mentor, teacher, and friend to ISU journalists for more than two decades.”
Blogger Rob Daniel, a former student, said he was shocked after learning of her death.
“I don't often write much in the way of personal stuff on this site, but I found out ... that one of my favorite professors from my time in college at Iowa State University, Barbara Mack, died yesterday at home. Needless to say, it was a huge shock. Not just because of the suddenness of her passing, but also because of her larger than life personality.”
Mack earned her law degree from Drake University in 1977. An ISU Alumi bio said she was best known for her media law classes and inspired many students to become lawyers.
Deb Belt
3:57 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Barbara was a passionate advocate for the public's right to know. I listened to many of her sessions over the years at Iowa Newspapers Association conventions, where she shared updates on open meetings and open records laws and gave reporters great advice on how to go after information their community needed. She loved newspapers, she love librarians and their quest to give information to taxpayers, and she loved to swear when telling stories. She will be missed.
Beth Dalbey
5:51 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Very well said, Deb. She was a force. There may be people who can take a greater command of the room, but I am not sure who they might be. "Larger than life personality" is so true. And she was one helluva – I use this word for you, Barbara – cook.
MARJ MONACHINO
4:51 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
HAD HEART ATTACK TWO YEARS AGO - AFTER EXPERIENCING SORE JAW, DIZZINESS, AND STOMACH UPSET. WAS VACATIONING IN LAKE ARROWHEAD (6,000 FEET) ...PASADENA CARDIOLOGIST DID ANGIOGRAM AND DISCOVERED NO BLOCKAGE BUT LEFT VENTRICLE SHUT DOWN - A STRESS RELATED HEART ATTACK CALLED 'TAKITSUBO' NAMED BY JAPANESE DOCTOR....HEART HAS HEALED BUT WARNING TO WOMEN - BARB WAS A GREAT DES MOINES REGISTER JOURNALIST WAY BACK WHEN..