University announcement It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Todd Felts, a longtime professor in the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday.

Morrill Hall sits on the south end of the University of Nevada, Reno quad, a large lawn area surrounded by trees and a walking path.

University announcement

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Todd Felts, a longtime professor in the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday.

November 29, 2024

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Todd Felts, a longtime professor in the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday. We wish to express our sincere condolences to Todd’s family and friends, which includes his many students as well as colleagues past and present from his time teaching at RSJ.

From the moment Todd joined our faculty in 2008, our University knew it had added a faculty member who brought something more than two decades of experience as an award-winning public relations and communications professional. Todd’s infectious joy for the work that he did was immediately apparent. His love, care and compassion for everyone he knew was felt throughout our campus and in our community. He was, simply, a bundle of energy who could also be an incredibly thoughtful and steadying force for anyone he ever knew.

Todd’s professional accomplishments were many, and speak to the many successes he had in furthering our institutional mission as well as building strong and productive relationships with our community. He received the 2019 Distinguished Outreach Faculty award and in 2014, he was named the recipient of the Honors Program Distinguished Faculty Award. He also directed the graduate program in interactive journalism at RSJ, and for many years he has been involved in several international visitor programs to Nevada, including serving as the academic director for the Algerian Youth Leadership Program since 2009.

A hallmark of Todd’s career at the University is that his students always knew he was preparing them to become successful professionals while also wholeheartedly and unabashedly caring for them as people. He lived this wonderful, energetic and optimistic example throughout his life.

University Counseling Services, as well as the Downing Counseling Clinic is available to help students during this difficult time. Faculty and staff can find assistance through the Employee Assistance Program. The University’s LiveWell Program is also available to help prioritize your well-being and navigate campus resources.

We will share information about a memorial service for Todd as details become available.

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President

Jeffrey Thompson
Provost