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The Woodward Times

 

 


IT WAS A BLAST!
Retirement party draws
alums, former faculty to
Des Moines


HIS BIGGEST FANS
After all these years,
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students still have fond
memories.

INSIDE

The Life of Woodward

See how Woodward looked without the beard and learn all about his life.
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Memories of Woodward

Everyone has something to say about their professor, coworker and friend.
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Woody's Web Work

View Woodward's personal Web site, his class sites and more.
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Party Photos

View photos from Woodward's May 21 retirement party.
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This site was created by students and faculty in the Drake University School of Journalism.
© Drake University School of Journalism 2004

Drake institution to retire

 

Said one official: "Thank God that miserable Meredith Hall building was made out of brown brick and steel, otherwise they would've been comparing Woodward to Mrs. O'Leary's cow."

Woodward is regarded as the finest teacher in the history of Drake University and has an impact on thousands of young journalists of all ilk.

Much of his skill comes from his untold years in the business. Anthropologists revealed what is believed to be the first Woodward lead on
a story. "In the Beginning ..."

Also, Woodward is believed to be the last man to know what "-30-' means.

-30-

Updated
June 3, 2004

Dedicated to Robert Woodward, Ellis & Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Journalism

By Daniel P. Finney (JO '97)
Of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

DES MOINES, IA. - Robert Woodward, Drake University professor of journalism, announced his retirement this fall, sending shockwaves through the journalism, business and public service communities.

Immediate reaction came from Bob Woodward, the famed investigative reporter of the Washington Post, who said, "Thank God. I was so tired of getting calls from these kids at some school in the Midwest complaining about 8 a.m. classes and asking me what the answer is to the 'unbearded Lincoln' question. Who is this guy anyway?"

Stock in red Flair pens, the favorite mark-up tool of the bearded newsman and teacher, plummeted at the announcement.

"We've lost our best customer," Flair pens said in a prepared statement."For generations, he's used our pens to spread 'blood' across the pages of aspiring young reporters and hung the caps of empty pens upon his bulletin board as if they were scalps. Woodward took our pens into the highest service possible."

Following the press release, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

However, fire marshals statewide breathed a sigh of relief that Woodward was finally taking down his shingle. State fire officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the professor's office as "a tinderbox deathtrap waiting to happen.

Fallen hero — The retirement of Robert Woodward, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Journalism, leaves the future of Flair pens in jeopardy as Woodward was the company's No. 1 customer.