Hunter College mourns the loss of esteemed colleague Peter Parisi, associate professor in the Department of Film and Media Studies at Hunter College, who for nearly two decades served as coordinator of the James Aronson Awards for Social Justice Journalism. Widely respected by faculty and students, Peter is credited with revitalizing Hunter’s print journalism program and integrating new media technologies into it. His colleagues remember him most for his integrity and empathy and his curious and lively mind.
Peter published actively over the years, with articles in some of the most prestigious peer-reviewed journals. He took special interest in the ways journalistic practices tend to frame and distort how important social issues and realities are filtered through the media and was known for shedding a strong critical light on the limits of journalistic objectivity.
Many remember Peter best for his strong commitment to student advising. He not only guided students in course work and program planning, but also inspired them to write for student and community publications and encouraged them to be critical thinkers and pursue careers in journalism.
Peter’s rich academic experience and work as a reporter, editor, and columnist before joining Hunter in 1995 prepared him well for his service to the college. At Hunter he served on a number of departmental committees and on the Hunter College Senate, yet he still found time to be an active member of many professional societies, including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Susser, herself a beloved professor of anthropology at Hunter.
We share our deepest sympathies with Ida and family. Plans are underway for a memorial service in the fall.
With profound sadness,
President Jennifer J. Raab
