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There are 14 comments on Jim Thistle, Director of Broadcast Journalism, Dies at 66

  1. Professor Thistle was one of my most favorite professors during my time at BU. I learned so much about journalism from him and enjoyed being a part of his classes. I am sadded to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends.

  2. When I heard on WBUR last night that Jim Thistle had died, I had to turn off the radio for a moment to let the news sink in. I had Prof. Thistle for just one class (Broadcast News for Non-majors), but I’ll always remember him as one of my favorite professors at BU. He was so enthusiastic and encouraging, and the way he orchestrated a newscast was like magic. How lucky I am to have learned from him while he was still here.

  3. Like a previous poster, I only had Prof. Thistle for one class, broadcast journalism for non-majors. It sits alongside classes with Klarfeld and Zelnick as my favorites. During the class in which I had to be an anchor, I was kind of slumping over the desk. Thistle yelled out, “Sit up, you’re not at a poker game.” That got me laughing, and got me sitting straight up, too.

  4. Prof. Thistle was the hardest working professor I had. He had an intense desire not just to teach, but also for his students to learn. He celebrated our successes and brought out the best in us. His class was the highlight of my COM education.

  5. Years after I graduated, I was struggling with my journalism career and unsure if I had chosen the right profession. Prof. Thistle not only remembered me (though he had not had me as a student in more than 5 years) but closed the door to his office and talked me through my professional crisis, giving me the the pep talk I needed. I continued in journalism, and now 10 years later, that talk is still one of the most important I have ever had.

  6. I was a student of Prof. Thistle in 1992. I have fond memories of working with him at BU and learning what the news biz was all about. Prof. Thistle was a wealth of knowledge and eager to have his students be the best. At the same time, he was a kind man who was interested in students’ lives away from the newsroom. And he had a great big SMILE all day long! I feel so honored to have been in his company at BU. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

  7. Prof. Thistle was the first person I met when I interviewed for the BU broadcast journalism graduate school program 12 years ago. He was the one who convinced me to attend Boston University. It turned out to be a wonderful hands-on education. And when I wasn’t exerting myself as much as I should have in class, he always pushed me to try harder. He showed me integrity and the value of hard work in the profession. Without his input, I doubt I would have made it to the network level. I am saddened by his death, but I know his family will take great pride in knowing how many journalists Prof. Thistle helped and the impact he had on the profession.

  8. I took several courses with Jim Thistle, and I can honestly say that he was the best professor I have ever had. His genuine concern for the budding journalism careers of his students, his tireless efforts to support us both in and out of the classroom, and his uncompromising sense of integrity made him a role model for us all. He will be sorely missed.

  9. I was in Jim Thistle’s Broadcast Journalism class when he first started teaching at BU in the early ’80s. He was working at WCVB during the day and came over to BU for evening classes. One day, he took us to ‘CVB to see the last of the film-chain equipment be removed, making way for videotape machines. I remember his energy and excitement that day. We’re moving into a new era in news-gathering, he told us. We were all caught up in his passion for journalism – and it was exhilarating! He taught us a disciplined work ethic that I still strive to maintain today. And, he taught us how to write! – – –
    I am truly saddened to learn of Jim’s death. I did not know he was battling cancer and took for granted that he’d be around when I would finally get around to expressing my appreciation for all that he taught me – a mistake too commonly made. So, to Jim’s family and friends, please accept my family’s prayers and sympathies. I hope you find some peace in knowing that Jim Thistle’s impact on this world was truly significant – and that he lives on in so many of us who were fortunate enough to be his students.

  10. I’m a 1992 COM grad and I have often thought about Jim Thistle throughout my career. He was a kind hearted soul who always made class challenging, interesting and relevant. My hopes and prayers are wtih his family. He was a great man and mentor.

  11. I was majoring in broadcast journalism at COM and had Prof. Thistle for one class. I was in awe of him because he was one of Boston’s great broadcasters and had worked for all of the major stations and knew all of the on-air personalities. I loved his “war stories” from his career. So who was I, I thought, but a student with no experience in one of his classes after he had worked with so many great and prominent professionals already in his career and was a legend already himself? But I remember how he gave me personal attention, even though we didn’t get to know each other very well. While in his class, I believe, I wasn’t happy with my academic adviser, so I asked if he would be my adviser. We met only once or twice then, but I remember he was understanding and granted me permission to take a class on the history of the Great Depression and let it be counted toward my concentration in economics (he heard my argument and granted this bit of an exception for me). He steered me toward a couple of good internship possibilities. And another time in his class, my partner on a project had disappeared with no explanation over a weekend that we had planned to work on the project. I had to do it alone, and the camera I used malfunctioned. Again, Prof. Thistle was understanding when I returned to the classroom the next week and tried to salvage something from my project (which was pretty disastrous!). I recall getting an A in the class still! Thanks for your kindness, Prof. Thistle!

  12. Extending my Warmest Thoughts to Professor Thistle’s Family and Friends ….

    It was such an honor to have been in Professor Thistle’s Class. He was such an inspiring professor and truly passionate and giving to his students. He was an amazing professor! He was always available to his students and would extend himself in any way that he could to help us in the world of broadcast news.

    But, mostly what I loved the most about Professor Thistle was his warm smile and his Go Get Em attitude!

    You will be Greatly Missed!

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