After 35 years of teaching, research and service at Michigan State University, Folu Ogundimu is retiring from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
A professor in the School of Journalism since joining MSU in 1991, Ogundimu built a career centered on international journalism, media globalization and the role of journalism in advancing democracy. Through his teaching and scholarship, he challenged students to think beyond national borders and understand journalism's responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world.
"Folu's own journalism career was intertwined with the fight for press freedom, first in his native Nigeria and then around the world," said Tim Vos, director of the School of Journalism. "He rooted press freedom in an uncompromising commitment to journalism's professional values and was unflinching in advocating for editorial autonomy. Sometimes we get focused on teaching reporting skills, but Folu always reminded us that one of the most important skills of all is the ability to defend journalism's professional mission and values.
"Folu never let us forget that we live in a global environment where media transcend national boundaries. We simply don't understand news and journalism without understanding its global setting. His scholarship underscored this, but just as importantly, he kept this global perspective front of mind for journalism students and faculty."
Ogundimu's scholarship examined journalism, media systems, democracy, development and public health, with a particular focus on Africa. His work connected academic research with real-world communication challenges, including serving as director and principal investigator of the World Health Organization Nigeria Polio Communications Project from 2010 to 2011.
He also contributed to scholarship on media and democracy as co-editor of Media and Democracy in Africa and issue editor of the Journal of African Rural and Urban Studies. At MSU, he served as faculty excellence advisor for the college from 2009 to 2012 and chaired the African Studies Center Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the Center for Health and Risk Communication, African Studies Center core faculty and the Center for Advanced Study of International Development.
Reflecting on his career, Ogundimu said he is most proud of the values that guided his work.
"I tried to uphold standards of integrity and excellence in my scholarship," he said. "Holding myself and my students to high standards of ethics in teaching, research and service are values I treasure in my academic career."
He said working with students shaped him just as much as he hoped he shaped them.
"My engagement with students over the years taught me a great deal about how we grow and learn as teachers and students," Ogundimu said. "The feedback loop is an essential part of being a fine academic. This dynamic and the constant search for self-improvement through reflection and new knowledge are the greatest gifts I take away from my years as an academic."
As he begins retirement, Ogundimu said he will miss "being in the company of Spartans of all stripes" and the university's vibrant campus community.
"Above all," he said, "the warmth and generosity of the people."
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences celebrates Ogundimu's 35 years of service and the lasting impact he has made on generations of students, the School of Journalism and the global field of journalism.
By Claire Dippel