Elizabeth Ann Nissen

I worked as an intern for Nissen at ABC in 1995. She was so thoughtful and kind and diligent and always wanted to get the story right, which for her, was with compassion in a way that honored not just the truth but the dignity of the people involved. She was an incredibly generous mentor even though there was never going to be a benefit for her professionally. She will be greatly missed.

Nissen - she asked that we never call anything else - was by far the best professor I had at Columbia´s journalism school, much less its law school or Yale college. Not only had she already earned esteem as a Central America correspondent, she believed journalists must be well-rounded. So Nissen took us to Washington to meet her colleagues, to foreign films, Yankees games - she even had us read a lampoon of foreign correspondents like herself, Evelyn Waugh´s Scoop. She also refused to discuss...

I never knew Beth, but I admired her work so much. There was a quiet intelligence to everything she did and her compassion just seemed to emanate from the way she approached every subject. She also was a different kind of TV reporter. Natural and relaxed—it seemed she didn’t have a phony bone in her body. I always think of journalism as a public service and it’s clear she thought that to her core. I’m so sorry for the loss of your big sister—and sending my deepest sympathies to her...

I went to school with Beth at Roosevelt. I remember her as very kind and extremely smart. Rest in Peace, Beth.

Although Beth and I didn't see each other after High School, I have very fond memories of my friendship with her. We went to lectures and concerts together and spent time discussing important things. It is no surprise to me that she followed her passions into journalism. Her curiosity and brilliance and compassion were all evident in her early years. I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. She definitely deserved more time. May her memory be a blessing.

I knew her as Nissen, never Beth, when she taught us at her alma mater, the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. She taught me how to write, edit, research, and reason like no other and to persevere until my stories read well and made sense. I tried to pattern my own reporting, editing, and later teaching style as best I could after her incomparable example: tough, precise, and compassionate. She raised me up and gave me confidence, and her tales of reporting in Nicaragua...

Nissen. She went only by "Nissen" at Columbia. A most wonderful and very memorable teacher. I'm so saddened to hear of her passing.

She seemed a good person

I attended a lecture she gave at UM in the early 80s when she had been reporting on the Sandanista Militants in Nicaragua. She'd taught them the Michigan Fight song "Hail to the Victors" as a rallying anthem! I was so impressed with Beth humor & courage. I attended this lecture with Beth's younger sister, Anna. Anna shared that this was just what her sister did - ventured headlong into a war zone to get to the story ... & found something unique & even fun to share!