Thank you, Professor Basinger

Thanks to Professor Basinger, the Society of Professional Journalists Club at Marist visisted the New York Times on April 17. Photo by Jeffrey Basinger

Many professors only receive some sort of ‘thank you and farewell’ when they’re leaving.

Luckily for all of the incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, no, Professor Basinger is not leaving Marist University.

So this is not a ‘thank you and farewell,’ but merely a ‘thank you,’ as nothing we could do will ever amount to what Basinger has done for us.

Many people would recognize Basinger as a multimedia journalist, producer, editor and photographer. Rightfully so, as his work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Time and ProPublica, just to name a few.

But despite his 33 Emmys, three Murrows, a Peabody and a Polk award, Basinger spends most of his time at Marist University, taking on his biggest and most rewarding role yet as not only a professor, but a mentor and role model.

Samantha Stulbaum ‘26 said, “Basinger has been one of the most helpful and outgoing professors I've ever met. He takes an interest in all of his students and helps them be the best they can be. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have a professor who is this dedicated to helping me succeed.”

“Basinger has encouraged me and taught me every step of the way,” said Caleb Tysz ‘26. “He has provided opportunities for growth like no other professor I've ever had, and I can confidently say he impacted my academic career for the better.”

In the spring of 2025, Basinger created the Community Journalism Initiative, which allows students to work with a local newsroom for eight weeks throughout the summer, offering invaluable journalism experience for students and, in turn, supporting local journalism.

Ben Leeds ‘26, Emma Gaecklein ‘26, Grace DeMarco ‘27, Stulbaum and I had the pleasure of completing an internship in this position and learning valuable lessons in the media industry.

“Basinger is so supportive of all his students. He wants them to succeed and does everything he can to make sure it happens,” said Gaecklein. “My Marist experience would’ve been completely different if I didn’t have him in my corner.”

Leeds said, “Basinger found a way to change my experience as a journalist at Marist for the better, even though I never had him as a professor. His dedication to getting students real-world opportunities is inspiring; he truly cares about each and every student that he comes into contact with.”

“I am excited to get to work with Professor Basinger this summer for the Marist Community Journalism Initiative. Upon talking with him, I could immediately see how much he cares about his students and their success. It inspires you to want to work your hardest because of how much he believes in us,” said Jacquelyn Drain ‘27.

Basinger also had a vast impact on the students who took his Documentary Filmmaking course. During the semester, each group of students is partnered with an organization to make a documentary on anything ranging from Urban Ecology to Halloween Parades. Basinger guides students in creating a high-quality piece of media that is often submitted to the New York Regional Emmys.

Documentary Filmmaking has been described as the most difficult but most rewarding class at Marist by many students who take it.

“Professor Basinger is not only a great professor and advisor, but he’s a great person, and that makes him an even better educator,” said Erin Holton ‘25. “He always makes his classroom a very welcoming place on campus, and it gives students who are already stressed enough a place to take a breath while still progressing forward in their studies.”

Holton and the rest of her group produced a documentary that received an Emmy nomination, an extremely high honor and incredible experience for an undergrad.

Holton added, “His support for his students doesn’t stop post-grad; he genuinely cares about the future of his students and the future of journalism.

Basinger also teaches Photojournalism, an extremely sought-after class that many students only get a spot in during their senior year.

“Basinger, you took the topic of photography, something I previously had zero interest in, and made it incredibly engaging and fascinating. You made those Monday nights something to look forward to, which was arguably an even bigger achievement,” said Eric Johnston ‘26. “I regret that I was only able to take one class with you, but that one class was easily one of my favorites here at Marist, and I know that so many others would say the same.”

Ciara Molloy ‘26 said, “I had the pleasure of being in Basinger’s Photojournalism class last semester and was finally able to better understand how and why he has such a profound impact on the Marist community. He is so encouraging and truly invested in his students, and his attentiveness and caring nature do not go unnoticed. Though I have only known him for a short amount of time, Prof. Basinger has changed me for the better as both a journalist and a photojournalist, and I am forever appreciative of that.”

Outside of the classroom, Basinger serves as the advisor of the Marist Circle, Marist’s student-run newspaper. Past editors-in-chief and I can attest to the trials and tribulations that inevitably occur, but were gracefully handled with Basinger’s guidance.

"From teaching me the fundamentals of photojournalism to advising me during my time as the editor-in-chief of the Marist Circle, Professor Basinger helped me realize my potential to pursue a career in journalism,” said Emma Denes ‘24. “In addition, he gave me one of my most cherished Marist memories: touring the headquarters of my dream publication, The New York Times."

Andrew Breen ‘25 said, “Although I never had the opportunity to take one of Professor Basinger’s courses, I had the great experience of having him serve as our club advisor. While Erin and I tried to figure out the many tasks and complexities of running the Circle, Basinger was a consistent, helpful hand. Whether I was chasing him down on campus or Zooming to him at random times, he would also offer great advice. Beyond answering my millions of questions, Basinger is an incredibly adept journalist and an encouraging educator who Marist is lucky to have.”

Basinger also acts as many students' advisor, helping them figure out what the next semester and the rest of their careers might look like.

Laratee VanNieuwenhuyze ‘24 said, “Basinger was probably the one I went to the most about my struggles in staying motivated while studying journalism. I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to pursue it anymore after dreaming about becoming a journalist since 7th grade. Luckily for me, he was a great support and pushed me to do more. I, as well as my friends, was lucky to have him as a professor.”

“I have been lucky enough to work on my Honors Thesis with Basinger, and through this process, he has inarguably made me a better journalist,” said Cora Flynn ‘26. “This unfailing commitment to his students and his craft makes him one of the best professors I’ve ever had. I have learned so much from every class I’ve had with him. If anyone is born to be a professor and a mentor, it is he. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to work with him.”

Marist has seen many journalism professors, but as life happens, they come and go. This past year, Basinger found himself being the only full-time journalism professor. It is safe to say that Basinger carried journalism through its most difficult time and came out on top.

“Thank you for wearing a million hats at all times and for keeping journalism alive at Marist practically single-handedly,” said Johnston. “You are an absolute rockstar – Marist truly would not be the same without you.”

"Throughout my four years, I have never met another professor so caring, passionate, understanding and relatable as Professor Basinger,” said Emma Stuber ‘26. “If I had any doubts about my field of study when entering Marist, they were done away with upon taking his awesome courses and finding a belonging within the program through them. I know exactly what I want to pursue when I graduate and that would not have been possible without that."

Though this isn’t an opinion piece, I think my notes are deemed unbiased based on the plethora of evidence.

Basinger has never once brushed off a student, made someone feel less than or doubted an eager freshman. And even for those who didn’t have the spark – Basinger was there to light the fuse.

I can confidently say my Marist experience would be entirely different without Basinger’s unwavering support. I actually believe I can go on to do something important in journalism, and I have a sense of pride in my work. Now, I want to be a professor one day, too.

“I cannot thank Basinger enough for all of the guidance and support he has offered these past two years,” said Katie Verde ‘28. “From the first time I met him at Marist Admitted Students Weekend, I immediately knew that he was someone who genuinely cared about his students and their growth, both in and out of the classroom. The absolute best professor!”

“While at Marist, I had a few professors who made students feel very small,” said Lizzie Baumgardner ‘25. “However, Basinger was quite literally the opposite. Basinger cares about what he does, and he cares so much for his students. For so many, they just want to be heard. I know that's what I needed. Just by being himself, Basinger has really helped me in figuring out what I want to do and who I want to be. I know I would've survived college without him, but I'm so glad I didn't have to.”