Loyola Communications Professor and retired WBAL-TV reporter, Dr. Timothy Tooten died at age 66 on Feb. 9, WBAL-TV reports. Tooten was an integral member of the newsroom, and was a trusted source as an education reporter in Baltimore.
Along with being an education reporter, Tooten wore many other hats. He was a passionate communications professor at Loyola since 2000, and a reverend at his church, Harvest Ministries.
Among students and staff, Tooten will be remembered for his unwavering passion for journalism and his positive attitude both inside and outside the classroom. For communication student and aspiring broadcast journalist, Haley Cisewski ‘25, Tooten was more than just a professor, he was a mentor and role model.
“Professor Tooten embodied goodness in a way that is rare and inspiring…I know that as I move forward in the broadcasting world, I will carry his legacy and teachings with me wherever I go. He remains one of the best mentors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with,” Cisewski said.
Similarly, communications student, Lauren Blose ‘26, explained her experience with learning from Tooten this semester.
“I only had Professor Tooten this spring semester for Multimedia Storytelling. Even though it sadly got cut short, I could tell he loved teaching us students and was passionate about journalism and storytelling,” Blose said.
Much like students, Loyola faculty members are saddened by the sudden passing of the professor and reporter. Chris Kimani, program assistant in the Communication and Media department shared the impact Professor Tooten had not only in the Communications department, but throughout the entire campus.
“Professor Tooten was one of those individuals where, when he walked into a room, you just felt this sense of joy in his presence. He always wanted to know how your day was going and how you were doing. He was very passionate about his job and he was very passionate about his students and wanting to equip them with the knowledge he gained,” Kimani said.
From 2003 to 2008, he would often run into then ABC2 News education reporter Jenny Glick covering the same stories for their respective stations. While they were considered to be “rivals” in their field, Glick noted how Tooten often beat her on breaking education news because he was so well known and respected in the community.
Professor Glick was then happy to work with Tooten as a colleague at Loyola University. She has known Tooten for more than 20 years.
“His legacy is that he was also an educator on education which is super important. He really believed in education and that’s what he did, day in and day out. He used his voice to show people to be the best versions of themselves,” Glick said.
To remember Dr. Tooten and the impact he had, a visitation open to all students, faculty, family, and friends will be held on Friday, Feb. 14 from the hours of 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Christian Assembly of God Church located at 7411 Rossville Blvd. in Baltimore.
For those unable to attend, there will also be a “Celebration of Life Service” on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m., also at Central Christian Assembly of God Church. For more information, you can click here to find out more about visitation and funeral arrangements.
