Alumni remember Ron MacDonald

For me and generations of W&L journalism students, Ron MacDonald was the journalist we aspired to be.  He was ethically and morally uncompromising and he was unbending in his belief that the search for the truth mattered.  Ron taught even the least talented of us to be good writers and reporters, and he kept tabs on many of us after we left W&L and ventured into real newsrooms or even non-journalism-related careers.

I sought Ron’s counsel many times over the years when an ethical dilemma stared me down or a career decision had me confused or uncertain.  He would always calmly walk me through the facts and would usually end our conversation by telling me to believe in myself and trust my judgment.  He was not only my teacher and mentor, but my good friend as well.

I often re-read a letter that Ron sent to me 20 years ago after he had dinner with me and my W&L classmate, Chet Burgess.  Chet and I had just ascended to major decision-making positions at our networks, Chet at CNN and me at CBS.

Ron wrote what a pleasure it was for “an old teacher” to spend an evening with “two of his most successful products.”  And he added, “I swell with pride.”

There is an Emmy for investigative reporting on my mantle and many other awards and professional congratulations scattered throughout my office.

None means more to me than that note from Ron.

Tom Mattesky ’74
former deputy bureau chief
CBS News, Washington

He was a stickler for accuracy, fairness, and reporters keeping their opinions and fluff out of news stories. He pushed his students to dig beneath the surface and keep asking questions. He used to shudder at the use of words like “famous” and “popular” and “well-respected” by reporters. If a subject really was any of those things, MacDonald would say, readers didn’t need to be told. And if the subject wasn’t, the description was a lie. And if there was one thing he wanted his students to remember, it was that the truth matters.

from The Rockbridge Advocate,  August 2008
Doug Harwood ’74, editor

Ron was truly one of the “good guys.”  His dedication to the highest standards in journalism as exemplified by his development, with Dr. Louis W. Hodges, of the journalism ethics program at Washington and Lee stands as a monument to this very good man.  Whether dispensing his observations on the weightier issues of ethical behavior or sharing with you his knowledge of the exact weight of a milk can, either empty or full, he did so with a twinkle in his eye and a genuine love for the educational process.  All of us who knew him well will miss both his wit and his wisdom.  The entire Washington and Lee University family is diminished by his passing.

The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey B. Spence, ’71

A man who did great things and, most importantly, challenged others to do the same.

Stuart Sheldon ’89

Growing up in Lexington near the MacDonalds I got to know Ron through his son, Brad. I remember Brad telling me that one of his dad’s  toughest days at WDBJ  was when his dad came home and for the first (and perhaps only) time Brad heard his dad curse. Apparently, the day before, Ron had the weather anchor spot at the station and predicted a sunny day. Not so. Some irate woman who had planned a picnic for that day had been rained on. She came to the station looking to put a hurtin’ on Ron, blaming him for the inclement weather!

Sev Duvall III, ’78

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Professor MacDonald. He was always direct as my advisor and a true gentleman.

Derick Belden ‘93
executive editor
Southern Living magazine

My memories of Ron will be different from most because I didn't make a career of journalism. However, it was Ron's teaching and encouragement and friendship which did so much for me as a person and as a W&L graduate. Ron and I entered W&L in the fall of 1969. He came from a long career at WDBJ-TV and I arrived a very green high school graduate from southside Virginia. He and I established a bond in those early weeks and, for the next four years, he served as a mentor to me. I believe his counsel did much to help me get an education and find an entry into journalism upon graduation. I will remember him for his involvement in my life during my years in Lexington.

Jay Denny ’73