What a great man!  He will be remembered!

Brian Sullivan '07

As part of the JCU communications program, I was deeply saddened by the sudden death of such a great and well respected political journalist. In the sudden moments following such a great tragedy, I was insipired to hear of not what a groundbreaking, tough but fair journalist he was but how much he loved being a father and the interest he took in fellow workers' kids. I lived with kids from Buffalo this past year and who went to the same high school he did and fully understand the passion he had for the Bisons and Bills. Tim will be missed. God bless him and his family.

EJ Orr '11

Can't help but think that Father Schell had a hand in Tim getting called up to the plate today. Father Schell took wonderful care of many of us during 70 years of JCU affiliation and apparently put in a good word in order for Tim to join him so quickly. Tim will be missed in so many ways but to JCU alums, he was a fellow alumnus we could all brag about, especially since JCU isn't the MOST famous Jesuit university, just the best. Blessings to Tim's family. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. We share your heartache and loss.He is already greatly missed.

Joan Osborne

We fellow alumni of Tim Russert's have lost our most well-known alumnus. Who among us wasn't so proud of the stature Tim held on a global scale, yet who walked with ease at most every reunion for his class? Even though he made Meet the Press among the very best, if not the best, Sunday morning political shows; many of us tuned in to watch "our Tim" to see the JCU education at work each week and in my case this spilled over to my parents, wife, sons, et al.

His parents sacrificed just like mine did to provide 16 years of Catholic education times eight children. One of Tim's best lines about raising his son, Luke, which my wife and I try to emulate is that our sons "are always loved, but never entitled." Thanks to the education we received from JCU, we're in a position to need to practice that motto. Rest in peace to our fellow Blue Streak and our prayers will remain for Big Russ, Maureen, Luke and their extended family.

Sincerely,

Dennis E. Casey '87

I send my best wishes to the Russert family and John Carroll University for producing one of the most admirable figures in television. He was completely trusted and respected for his commitment to excellence. We have all gained from his life because we can use his life as a measuring rod to inspire a new generation. God bless his family and the friends who are so stunned by his passing. He will be in our prayers. Thank you.

Richard Clarke

Honest and ethical.

John E. Clifford '58

Tim exemplified the best of what this school, our country and the world is. Deeply devoted to everything he did and was, he set the standard of the core meaning of magis - always striving to do more. We have lost a genuine hero in the deepest sense. My thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with Tim's family and friends.

Steve Ligus '00

I knew Tim well as a student leader during the protest times of the late '60s and early '70s. Imagine Tim in bib overalls -- that often was his campus attire as a student. He was a "radical" then who often clashed with campus authorities. When he took a stand it was on principle and he never backed down an inch. His leadership skills were evident, and there was no one on campus at the time who couldn't immediately identify him as JCU's leading student voice. I remember Tim graciously patching old differences with retired president Fr. Henry Birkenhauer, SJ, in 1997 when Tim returned to Carroll to give the Commencement talk and receive an honorary degree in 1997. As he matured, far from being critical of Jesuits and Jesuit education, he embraced them and often credited the Jesuits with the values and strengths he developed. He was a Son of Carroll of whom we all may justly be proud.

Paul Kantz '63

This world has lost a very special man, but he will never be forgotten. God bless the Russert family and watch over them during these very difficult times.

David Kelley '96

I am so proud to share an alma mater with this man. He was a true man for others and really represented what a good Catholic can be in our world. Tim will be missed.

Gretchen (Grubb) Sabin '02

Having only met Tim two times, once at John Carroll last year and the other this year in preparation for the Democratic debate, I can honestly say that I have never met a public figure more humble than him. When I met him at JCU he was walking around the quad and I walked up to him, introduced myself and he stopped and had a conversation about the university and about the media. When I saw him again at the debate he not only continued to have a conversation but he remembered who I was. I have never met a man more comparable to the average American. He will truly be missed.

Rich Ganim '08

My deepest condolences to the Russert family. I am proud to be a member of his JCU family. He is and was everything Jesuit.

May he rest in peace.

John Meek '93

He was such a smart and honest man, and with Father's Day coming up I remember his book about his own dad. He will be greatly missed.

Justin Kofron

Tim Russert was a great man, a great journalist, and above all, a great American. As a student at CSU, I remember walking through the campus library my freshman year and seeing a banner of Tim Russert hanging on the wall. I thought to myself "The sky is the limit...I can be absolutely anything that I want to be!" Seeing Tim on that banner and seeing what he had achieved in life gave me hope.

As an alumnus of CSU, I wanted to extend my condolences to everybody at John Carroll University...Tim will be missed! Also, to Tim's family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Please know that Tim was a great American role model and gave hope to so many of us and we loved him. "What a country!"

My deepest sympathy,

Eric J. Crawford
Cleveland State University Alumnus 2006

Mr. Russert reminds us to stick with the Jesuit values Carroll offered us, for he's proof that those values can lead to the better world we all imagine. Like Russert, we must make our hope and love palpable in the universe through dutiful service to our Creator, our families, our vocations, our Earth, and all God's people.

May the angels and saints usher him into the light of the Lord's presence and assist Luke and Maureen as they grieve.

Jennifer Stebick '04, '06G

Sunday mornings and presidential elections will never be the same and as a result, neither will we... God bless Tim and Big Russ.

Mark Kotcher '96

Mr. Russert was the perfect ambassador for John Carroll and a Jesuit education. While he climbed to the top of his profession and was a success beyond his imagination, he lived by the ideals that St. Ignatius Loyola gave us. He truly was a man for others - he lived his faith every day by being a wonderful son,husband,and father - he was just an all around wonderful person. I am so very proud to say I am an alumnus of the same university that gave us Tim Russert.

May his family find peace in God's love during this enormous time of suffering and grief. The entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Peace,

Melissa Wenzler '90

I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Russert several times. He was the most humble member of the working media I have ever met...at any level. What always came through was his love of this country and how proud he was to be a John Carroll alum. We have lost a great American and a great friend.

Jeff Thomas '87