Tim Russert gave the commencement address the year I graduated from JCU in 1997 and I will never forget how much that speech inspired me. He told us how proud he was to have graduated from JCU and instilled real confidence in the student body, most of us Cleveland area locals, in how far our John Carroll degrees could take us. The sky was the limit and he was the embodiment of that message. He continued to make visits to Cleveland to raise money for the school and to give back to JCU many times over what it had provided him. There is no doubt he will be dearly missed by the JCU community, who have all been so proud and so fond of this extraordinarily generous and distinguished alumnus.

Emmanuel Teitelbaum '97

I always looked up to him... being a Carroll grad myself and being a journalist. The news of Tim Russert is sad and a big loss for all of us in journalism.

Katrina King '02

Tim was two years my younger yet we belonged to the same fraternity and oftentimes ate together with other fraternity brothers. He was a very hyper person and, of course, during the Vietnam era, politics and personal issues were regularly discussed, sometimes in emotional terms. I recall when a ‘mock’ political convention was staged Tim was very much involved and, I suspect, some seeds were planted. I saw Tim about five years ago as he spoke to a large audience in town; when he came in I said 'Hey Timmy'; he paused, stared and as the synapses fired said 'Hey Steve, what are you doing here?' We chatted for a brief moment about other mutual college friends and then he was off. While I was not a close friend I must say I have spent this weekend listening to tributes and introspectively thinking of college years and life. It seems to me Tim was an exceptional person in that he treated everyone with enthusiastic respect and caring; that, I believe, is one reason why so many are talking about Tim in such universal tones of warmth and affection. Tim’s faith seemed to be a major pillar of his strength of character; I have been so lucky in my life and knowing Tim albeit for just a short few years has again shown me how blessed I have been. There is an Amish saying, "Let your life speak," Tim spoke, God bless you.

Steve Varga '70

A man for all seasons

David Lang '74

Mr. Russert was a great person, professional, and role model for all of us. He was the perfect example of a Jesuit and a source of pride for JCU. My thoughts and blessings are with his family.

Gladymar Guzman '05

In 2004, I had the honor of meeting Tim at a book signing at Legacy Village. The crowd was overwhelming, perhaps more than 300 people, all crammed into a tiny bookstore to have a copy of "Big Russ and Me" autographed and share a moment with him. I remember leaving the book signing with an autograph but disappointed that I never had the chance to say more than "Nice to meet you, Mr. Russert. I'm also a John Carroll alum." The crowd was just too large.

Sensing my disappointment at not being able to speak more than a few words, and without telling me, my father wrote to Meet the Press. Within two weeks, Tim wrote me a letter thanking me for driving up to the book signing and shared some memories about John Carroll. I was deeply touched that he had taken the time to write. It wasn't necessary and unexpected; he couldn't control the size of the crowd anymore than I. It went beyond the call of duty. It showed his commitment to the average Joe and his University. Tim will be sorely missed by all those alums of John Carroll and those who considered him a part of their Sunday mornings.

Joe Lowry '04

Though Tim Russert's sudden death is incredibly sad and shocking, I also feel a strong sense of pride that I share a John Carroll, Jesuit education with him. All of John Carroll should be beaming with pride that in all the remembrances shared about Tim, not one went without saying how much he loved his family and lived life to the fullest - true Jesuit ideals. Everyone knows that Tim Russert will be remembered as the best political broadcast journalist, but we will also know that the strong Jesuit ideals of living life for others guided him in all that he did. My prayers, and deepest sympathies to his family and many friends.

GO BILLS!

Robb Giambrone '99

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Tim's death when it first broke on Friday afternoon. And being a Chicago resident, I thank fellow JCU alum, Mary Ann Ahern '76, local NBC affiliate reporter, who provided one of the most touching, personal, and heartfelt condolences in memory of Tim on our local 5 p.m. news. This year's presidential campaign won't be the same without him. This is a huge loss to the Carroll community and to the American people.

Julie Bjorkman, Ph.D. '91

As a classmate of Tim's I would like to extend condolences to his family. Tim single-handedly has tried to improve journalism. He also was a great family man. I remember Tim as being very active on campus. He will be missed by many.

Mark Fildes '72

God bless you Tim. You make me proud to be a South Buffalonian.

Steve Marth '10

We didn't know Tim Russert except through TV and his great books. We consider him an inspiration to all American youth and only hope our children and grand-children will also come to know and value and maybe emulate Tim's good works as a decent Catholic man. We're so sorry we were not able to attend graduation at Lehigh University the year he addressed the grads. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, amen.

Thank you.

Anne Capuano

When I was accepted to JCU, Tim sent me a letter advising me of what a great school it was. Maybe it's because we're both South Buffalo boys, maybe not. Either way, he was a great ambassador for the city I love and the school from which I graduated.

We will miss you Tim

Go Sabres!

Go Bills!

Kevin Norsen '01

I could never have imagined how saddened I am by our loss of Tim Russert. I have spent the last three days reflecting on his life, learning so much more about him than I ever knew before. I am a fellow Beaudry Award winner and have always greatly respected Mr. Russert. I now realize that he is my hero. I feel a renewed responsibility to live my daily life exemplifying the Jesuit teachings as did Tim so beautifully. I never had the honor of meeting him, though I had so wished. I always felt a strong connection to him anyway. As I grieve from a distance, I pray for his family. May they know how thankful we are for his example.

Margret Heine '71

I was lucky to have met Tim during the U.S.-Soviet summit in 1991. He was walking down the hall where the U.S. news media were working.
I was walking toward him and mentioned as he passed that I'd graduated from John Carroll, too. He smiled that huge smile -- he seemed really pleased to have encountered a JCU alum in Moscow. With so much negative news about the Catholic church these days, it is really wonderful to know that such a great guy and great newsman was one of us -- and was proud to be.

Katie Oatis '82

My wife watched Meet the Press every Sunday and had the chance to see Tim several years ago at a JCU function in Tampa, Florida.

He has probably done as much for this country as any elected official! We will miss him always, but sadly not near as much as will his family.

We will pray for him and his family. Only on the bright side, he will now be able to interview the ALMIGHTY!

David Deal '66

Tim Russert, a man who embraced his career, his family, and his faith, has impacted the world of journalism and politics in a way that no person before him has done. His death has called us to examine our lives to make sure that each moment is lived to its fullest and not a single second is wasted. Starting my senior year, I will look to the passion Tim Russert displayed in all areas of life to ensure that my future is as dedicated as his is.

Kristina Drnjevich '09

I'm proud to have attended JCU with Tim and other distinguished Buffaloians, Jim Bolen, Paul Cummings, Jace Caulfield, et al.
They were a great group of guys and I admire all of them.

May Tim rest in peace.

Lee Clarke '72

I took a few days to try to organize my thoughts about Tim Russert. I was a class behind him at JCU. Everyone on campus knew Tim. He was a member of one of the service fraternities (University Club) and the Student government. He was usually on campus wearing a green army jacket.

It was great that one our alums made it to the big time. Many of us cleared our Sunday morning in order to watch him on Meet the Press.

To watch Tim was to watch one from our family: blue-collar background, Irish-Catholic, Jesuit trained. He was one of us. He had the "additional success." It was great to say I knew him when.

But Tim touched us in many ways. My oldest daughter gave me "Wisdom of our Fathers" for Father's Day 2006. When the book was published, a page had been left blank for signing. It is amazing how when I heard the news of his passing, I had to find the book and re-read the notes from my daughter. It showed the love of family. Thanks for giving us a great example of this love.

I would like to close with one final idea. The Jesuits have stressed the concept of "man for others." One measure of our success is to be of service for others. Tim's work on Meet the Press was more than a job, it was a vocation. He was a "man for others."

I want to extend my condolences to his wife, Maureen, and his son, Luke.

" Tim, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

Gary Dunn '73