Wilma Wirt Obituary

Wilma Wirt

October 12, 1935 - March 20, 2025

Wilma Wirt, a distinguished journalist, professor, and mentor who shaped the careers of countless aspiring reporters, passed away peacefully on March 20.

Wilma dedicated over three decades to journalism and journalism education, leaving an enduring mark on the profession. She earned her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and her master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Her career began as a reporter and night copy editor for The Washington Post, followed by a role as assistant director of communications for the national Board of Social Concerns for the United Methodist Church.

She served as a journalism professor at Temple Junior College before joining the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she chaired the Department of Mass Communication for six years. During her time at UTEP, she was named Adviser of the Year and became a former president of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Alumni (TIPAA). She directed the Dow Jones Urban Journalism Workshop and founded the national Summer Scholars Program in Journalism and Broadcast, providing opportunities for gifted students nationwide.

In 1987, she joined Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she continued to educate and mentor future journalists. At VCU, she established the Capital News Service in 1994 and became a pivotal figure in journalism education. Her contributions were widely recognized, earning her induction into both the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame and the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.

A passionate advocate for student journalism, Wilma was honored by the Journalism Education Association with the Media Citation Award for her significant contributions to scholastic journalism. Her leadership helped shape the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, which stands as the oldest and one of the largest collegiate student press associations in the United States, boasting over 100 participating colleges and universities.

She is survived by her children, Tobey Scott (Richard), Rob Wirt (Marlene), and Dan Wirt; her grandchildren, Shannon Galletti (Andy), Aaron Scott (Joy), and Victoria Scissons (Ryan); and her great-grandchildren, Silas, Angel, Samuel, and Benjamin. No funeral services are planned.

Wilma's legacy lives on in the many students she inspired, the programs she established, and the high standards she upheld in journalism education.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Mar. 30, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Wilma Wirt

6 Entries

Karla Lutz Bowling

April 26, 2025

Ms. Wirt was my journalism professor at The Univ of TX at El Paso. She was one of the best teachers I have ever had, and I have thought of her often since graduating in 1984. I credit her with not only teaching me the fundamentals of writing-I still have my Pica Pole and X-acto knife!-but also with instilling a deep commitment to ethical journalism. She was exacting, and I always strove to meet her high standards. That was "back in the day" when you had to calculate picas and points, adjust headline wording to fit across the column, and work with linotype printouts to manually paste onto layout pages (ahhhhh... the agony! LOL) Throughout life, there are people who help you recognize your potential and inspire you to become a better person. Ms. Wirt was one of those guiding lights for me. In her memory, I will be donating to UTEP's Mass Communications Dept.

Chad P

April 2, 2025

While two cars, six students and two faculty members were on a two-day, 800-mile trip across Texas from the University of Texas at El Paso to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Wilma the "Whip" convinced me to run for office in TIPA (Texas Intercollegiate Press Association). I decided to go for it all and, on a lark, decided to go for the position of President.
A student (former military) from Odessa Comm College became my campaign manager and in less than two days, several meetings, numerous parties, a lot of smoozing and vote trading, I became the first UTEP student to become President of TIPA. I gave Wilma a big hung and ask, "Now what?" With her guidance I managed to get through it all and with the hard work of the other five officers from various schools, some major changes were made to the organization that, I hope, helped carry it to a better future.
A `Tip of Hat´ to Wilma Wirt whose light did not in itself shine brightly, but who's influence on the tens-of-thousands of students she had, is hard to measure as each one carries a candle of wisdom and knowledge that she lit.

Chad P

April 2, 2025

Known as "Wilma the Whip" by her UTEP students.

Craig Carper

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Lana Bortolot

March 30, 2025

Ms. Wirt was my professor and mentor when I was at VCU in 1992-94. We stayed in touch for 25 years and she always helped me when I was stuck on a story and was proud of me when I did well. I owe my entire career to her and am proud to have been her student.

Mary Beth Long

March 30, 2025

Professor Wirth taught me in the early 1990s. I have donated to the VCU Mass Communications School in her memory.

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