Community mourns two professors
The Concordia community mourns the passing of two popular and active professors. Ross Perigoe was a long-time professor in the Department of Journalism and Michael Von Grünau hailed from the Department of Psychology and was a fixture at Science College.
Ross “Coach” Perigoe worked in Concordia’s Department of Journalism for more than 25 years and specialized in broadcast journalism. He passed away January 4, 2012, from a brain tumour.
His passing sparked discussions and postings online, outpourings of recognition for a man who took journalism seriously and who never lost sight of what greater good high-quality journalism could accomplish. He was equally remembered for the attention he gave every one of his students, and that “he wouldn’t suffer fools gladly.”
Many of Concordia’s successful journalism alumni paid their respects, including Stéphane Giroux, legal affairs reporter for CTV. He wrote, “I remember thinking how he took TV journalism seriously. He had a keen attention for details and didn't put up with slackers. He was eager to teach every aspect of TV news, not just the part where you show your face on TV.
“He thought the production work, the camera, the editing was just as important as the actual journalism. It really opened my eyes on the complexity and demands of television news. He was opinionated about what he saw on TV and never hesitated to trash the previous evening's newscast to his students.”
Sikander Ziad Hashmi wrote in his nomination of Perigoe for the Michael Monty Award, which Perigoe won, “Professor Ross Perigoe was as the forefront of the latter. His editorial oversight, especially during the Advanced Radio Newsroom class, built the sensitivity and judgment that have gone into many of the stories I have worked on as a reporter for the Toronto Star, the Gazette in Montreal and as a freelancer.”
He is survived by his wife, Christina, and two sons, Evan and Clarke.
To read more touching posts about Perigoe, read the article posted on openfile, linked to below.
Michael von Grünau began his Concordia career in 1989. He was the principal of Concordia’s Science College for nine years, and was affiliated with the college for 17. He died of cancer December 22, 2011.
Von Grünau was very involved with the students at the Science College and encouraged them to be their best. He was a regular at the college’s weekly coffee meetings where professors, students and alumni alike would gather to discuss research and topics of interest.
He crafted lasting relationships with renowned researchers and scientists and would invite them to visit Concordia to share their expertise. His friendships would continue years after collaborations ended.
Lillian Jackson, who worked at Science College throughout Von Grünau’s term, and continues to do so, wrote of her colleague, “On a more personal level he became a real mentor to students. He never refused to write them reference letters or help them think through a project. In fact he was always happy to do so. He motivated and encouraged the students; he was gentle and unassuming, energetic, approachable and fair, and everyone loved him. He even invited his students and those who worked with him at Science College to his home for the annual party by the pool. This is why so many of his graduates, both at the college and in the psychology department, remained friends of his and kept in touch with him years after they left for their own careers.
“Michael von Grünau was gentle, kind, considerate and a scientist dedicated to his work, to his students, to science and to the university. We may miss his presence, but we now carry with us the spirit he brought into our lives. For that we thank him, and we will not forget him.”
He is survived by his wife, Marinez, son Fernando and daughter Gabriela. A memorial service was held December 30.
Related links:
• Perigoe’s profile on Journalism site
• “J-School Professor Dies” — The Link, January 10, 2012
• “Remembering Concordia journalism prof ‘Coach’ Ross Perigoe” — openfile, January 5, 2012
• Von Grünau’s profile on the Psychology site, and an obituary by Rick Gurnsey
• Von Grünau’s obituary from the Gazette