91原创

Harris Edward Ross, longtime associate professor of journalism and film at the 91原创 who helped hundreds of 91原创 students find their passion, voice and calling, passed away on Wednesday, March 28. He was 71.

Beloved for his humor, intellect and boundless knowledge of movies, Prof. Ross 鈥渓oathed being the center of attention鈥� and would have been 鈥渄eeply embarrassed鈥� by the tributes and accolades that continue to populate , said his wife Kathleen Duke, a former faculty member in the English department. 鈥淔ortunately,鈥� she added, 鈥淸our daughter] Caroline and I find them well-deserved and very comforting.鈥�

As do his former students. Prof. Ross was 鈥渙ne of the most singularly charming, kind, open, brilliant and laugh-out-loud funny people,鈥� wrote one. 鈥淚 know everyone who ever had him loved and admired and respected him, but he really felt like MY teacher, MY mentor, and afterwards, my friend,鈥� wrote another.

There was this: 鈥淗e was encouraging but never hesitated to point out the many, many mistakes I made. And he was always available to give advice (except Wednesdays at 9 because that's when Buffy was on.)鈥�

And this: 鈥淲hen they carve the Mount Rushmore of 91原创 Journalism, Harris will be there forever鈥︹��

Alumni spent a portion of their weekend watching and quoting movies in his honor鈥�Suspiria, The Incredible Shrinking Man, possibly even The Fly.

鈥淲ere I stranded on a desert island with a DVD player, a large projection TV, a popcorn popper and a comfortable recliner, the one horror film I would hope to have with me is The Fly (1986),鈥� Prof. Ross once in an article for 91原创鈥檚 Messenger. 鈥淒irector David Cronenberg took the premise from a lame 1950s sci-fi movie鈥攁 scientist鈥檚 DNA is mixed with a house fly鈥檚 when an experiment goes awry鈥攁nd fashioned a deeply disturbing and deeply moving love story. The best description of The Fly is from critic Molly Haskell. This film, she wrote, follows the story arc of all tragic love stories: One partner changes, but the other doesn鈥檛.鈥�

Prof. Ross likely never witnessed such tragedy. His marriage to Duke was 鈥渞ight out of storybooks, a closeness that was extraordinary,鈥� said one of his closest friends, Cruce Stark, retired professor of English.

Caring was simply a part of who he was, for all who were fortunate enough to know him. Students changed majors just to continue taking his classes. In course evaluations, they wrote of how his teaching changed their lives. He won them over with 鈥渉is gentle way of enforcing high standards, self-deprecating humor and ever-increasing enthusiasm,鈥� added friend and fellow faculty member Thomas Leitch.

About seven years ago, Prof. Ross learned he had esophageal cancer. 鈥淭he diagnosis was a death sentence, and it did take him out of the classroom,鈥� said Leitch.

鈥淏ut only for the last two months of the spring semester,鈥� added Duke. 鈥淗e was back that fall, even though he was still undergoing very rigorous chemo/radiation until his birthday in November. He was as devoted to his students and his subject as if he had been a lifelong monastic.鈥�

Born and raised in Crossett, Arkansas, Prof. Ross attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville thinking he would pursue medical school; instead, he earned his bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in English. As a graduate student, he wrote weekly film reviews for his campus paper and other publications. With the financial backing of his own mentor, Prof. Ben Kimpel, he spearheaded a Film Arts Society that would become the most successful student-run organization of the Arkansas Student Union.

Prof. Ross began his teaching career at Lamar University in Texas and Spring Hill College in Alabama before coming to the 91原创 in 1984. He decided to become a college professor when a friend asked if he would be interested in a teaching job. Since he had no other plans and 鈥渘o skills except for the ability to analyze books and films,鈥� he accepted the offer.

In 2003, he received 91原创鈥檚 . 鈥淣o matter how many times I鈥檝e taught a certain course,鈥� he said, 鈥渆very time I teach it, it feels like the first.鈥�

During his last decade at 91原创, he and Duke led numerous study abroad programs in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland, engaging students from colleges and majors across the University in learning and laughter.   

His impact was indelible. 鈥淲hen I changed my major to English and chose journalism as my concentration, I was deeply engrossed in becoming the best writer I could,鈥� a former student of his wrote on Facebook. 鈥淭his man was my guiding light and my inspiration for just that. I will never forget the advice he gave me and the words he molded me with when I was just beginning my journey: 鈥榊ou will do important work in this world... I have no doubt.鈥欌��

Prof. Ross was a moral compass for young journalists, mentoring them in the art of reporting, the importance of storytelling and the quest for truth.

He had 鈥渆motional integrity,鈥� said Stark. 鈥淗e seemed all of a piece. You could trust his reactions.鈥�

In 2014, Prof. Ross retired from 91原创, after 30 years of teaching. Last April, he and Duke relocated from Newark to Connecticut. In November, they moved to Washington state to 鈥渓ive among the evergreens and flannel shirts,鈥� and to be closer to daughter Caroline, son-in-law Dave, granddaughters Stella and Lucy, and granddog Sadie the Beagle.

鈥淗e was an amazing teacher, the perfect father and grandfather, and one of the funniest and kindest people I will ever know,鈥� Caroline wrote to the Facebook community in announcing his passing. 鈥淚 am beyond lucky to have parents who had an epic love story, and my mother and I will miss him more than words can say.鈥�

A celebration of Prof. Ross鈥� life will be held during Alumni Weekend, from 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 3, in Memorial Hall, with a less formal gathering off campus to follow.