• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HBCU Lifestyle – Black College Living

  • HBCUs
    • What is an HBCU?
    • History
    • List of HBCUs
    • Notable Graduates
  • Jobs
  • Parents
    • HBCU Rankings
    • Black College Tours
    • Admissions
    • Financing
    • Scholarships
    • College Planning
  • Current Students
    • College Life
      • Greek Life
      • Sports
      • Dorm Living
      • College Survival
    • Careers
      • HBCU Career Hub
      • Internships
      • Career Profiles
      • Entrepreneur
    • Research Paper Resources
      • Research Paper Topics: 50 Ideas to Get Started
      • How To Write An Annotated Bibliography
      • Journalism Research Paper Resources
  • Alumni
    • HBCU Shirts
    • Podcast
    • Alumni Spotlight
    • HBCU Merch
    • Jobs
  • Shop
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

You are here: Home / HBCUs / Michael Feeney Dies at 32: Delaware State, NABJ Mourns Award-winning Journalist

HBCUs

Michael Feeney Dies at 32: Delaware State, NABJ Mourns Award-winning Journalist

Michael Feeney, Delaware State University class of 2005.
Michael Feeney, Delaware State University Class of 2005.

The Delaware State University community is deeply mourning the passing of award-winning journalist and University Class of 2005 graduate Michael J. Feeney.

Mr. Feeney died of cardiac arrest early Sunday morning on January 31, 2016 after he had been hospitalized at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, N.J. about a week.

A popular student at DSU, Mr. Feeney honed his journalism skills as a mass communications/print journalism major as well as with The DSU Hornet student newspaper, where he began as a freshman reporter and culminated as the publication’s editor-in-chief.

“During his DSU years, Mike took advantage of every opportunity that was available to develop himself as a journalist,” said Carlos Holmes, director of News Services, who as advisor of The DSU Hornet worked very closely with Mr. Feeney. “He was one of the early members of the DSU Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and took full advantage of having daily access to DeWayne Wickham, USA Today columnist, who taught advanced journalism courses at DSU during Mike’s undergraduate years.”

Dr. Marcia Taylor, assistant professor of mass communications, called Mr. Feeney “one of the DSU Mass Communications Department’s best and brightest, who loved his peers on campus, our department, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and DSU.” She said that she was profoundly saddened by his passing.

“I vividly remember Mike as a student in my Editorial and Feature Writing class where he successfully juggled assignments, managing The Hornet newspaper staff, and fraternity life,” Dr. Taylor said. “He has mentored current students and recent graduates, helping them to transition successfully as media professionals. This is a monumental loss that most of us still cannot put our minds around.”

Michael J. Feeney shows his Presidential Leadership Award in 2005
Michael J. Feeney shows his Presidential Leadership Award that was presented to him when he graduated from DSU in 2005.
Mr. Feeney’s leadership skills as head of The Hornet and his other constructive activities at the University were recognized during his 2005 graduation when he was presented the Presidential Leadership Award.

His undergraduate preparation showed upon graduation, as he immediately landed a job as a writer/reporter with the Associated Press. He would later write for the New York Daily News; his journalism work there led to the NABJ recognizing him in 2010 as the Emerging Journalist of the Year.

Mr. Feeney maintained a strong network of journalism connections through his active involvement with the NABJ. In 2011, he was elected as the president of the New York Chapter of the NABJ.

Amid his journalism activity, he never forgot his alma mater, often returning to participate in the annual DSU Mass Communications Day in the spring to share his experience and advice with the DSU students.

“I remember bringing him back for the first Mass Comm Day symposium that I coordinated and being in awe of how entrenched and knowledgeable he was as a young journalist,” said Dr. Francine Edwards, current chair of the DSU Department of Mass Communications. “But even more amazing was his passion for the undergraduates and this University. Feeney was a staple here and a true trailblazer.”

In 2014, Mr. Feeney returned to DSU to serve as the Convocation speaker that September.

DSU President Harry L. Williams recalls that Mr. Feeney’s Convocation address gave the students some valuable advice for the future. “He didn’t sugarcoat the challenges that are faced in the real world after graduation, but he noted the importance of using their undergraduate years to prepare themselves to achieve future excellence and professional success,” the DSU president said.

At the time of his fatal illness, Mr. Feeney was preparing to begin a coveted job as an entertainment reporter for CNN.com in Atlanta.

Due to the huge outpouring of expressions of love in the wake of Mr. Feeney’s passing, the following funerals will be held on two separate days in New York City and in New Jersey:

  • A viewing will be held on Monday, Feb. 8 from 9-11 a.m. followed immediately by an 11 a.m. funeral at First Corinthian Baptist Church, 1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York, NY 10026.
  • A viewing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 4-6 p.m. followed immediately by a 6 p.m. funeral at Community Baptist Church, 224 First Street, Englewood, N.J. 07631.

Source: Delaware State University

February 6, 2016 by HBCU Reports

Primary Sidebar

Search

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Quick Links

  • Newsletter
  • Jobs and Internships
  • Shop
  • List of HBCUs by State
  • HBCU Rankings 2022
  • HBCU College Tours
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

HBCU History

  • The First HBCU in South
  • Oldest HBCUs In the Nation
  • The First Black Owned and Operated HBCU
  • The First and Only Black Catholic HBCU
  • 10 Powerful Black History Movies HBCU Students Should Watch

Popular Posts

  • Happy female college student working on research paper topics. Research Paper Topics: 50 Ideas to Get Started
  • CHES Exam: Cynthia Harris, director of FAMU's Institute of Public Health in an interview. FAMU Public Health Students Secure 100 Percent Pass Rate on CHES Exam
  • 30 HBCUs Awarded $1M Through The 2022 Retool Your School Program 30 HBCUs Awarded $1M Through The 2022 Retool Your School Program
  • African American woman is sending a text message on a mobile phone at home after returning home from college. College Summer Break: Adjusting to the Challenges of Coming Home
  • W. Franklin Evans Named New President of Voorhees College Voorhees Names W. Franklin Evans as New College President

Before Footer

Join Our HBCU Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly HBCU news, jobs, and advice in your inbox.

Sign Me Up

Footer

About HBCU Lifestyle

The spirit and camaraderie of black college living is a lifestyle - the HBCU lifestyle! We're committed to keeping you connected to the black college living experience, bringing you the latest on everything, from scholarships and dorm living to Greek life and alumni giving.


Contact Us

Latest from the Blog

  • Tuskegee Engineering Students Win Awards at AMIE Design Challenge
  • Kauryn Datcher Receives Internship With Sandia National Labs
  • Virginia Union University Creates Center for Technology and Innovation
  • Tyson Foods Is The Title Sponsor of the Black College World Series
  • Newsletter
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Shop
  • List of HBCUs
  • HBCU Rankings
  • HBCU Scholarships
Copyright © 2010-2022 HBCU Lifestyle, LLC. All rights reserved.
Contact Us | Sitemap | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Get the best of the Black college experience delivered to your inbox.
Your email address:*
Name:*
Subscribe to (select all that apply):*





Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz