AU remembers Matthew Bosisio
By Rakiyah Lenon | Co-editor in chief
Matthew Bosisio, a former associate professor of journalism at Augusta State University, passed away this year on Sept. 5, 2021. He was 68. Bosisio was also advisor to The Bell Ringer for several years during his time at ASU, now known as Augusta University.
Former students and staff have taken the time to reflect on his life and share memories.
Professor emerita Debra Van Tuyll worked closely with Bosisio for several years. Van Tuyll said that Bosisio was solid and reliable as a colleague and as a person.
“He was also someone who had a heart of gold and worked very hard on behalf of his students, on behalf of the department and would help out a colleague in any way he possibly could,” she said. “He certainly was a solid colleague in any way that you could want.”
Van Tuyll said that Bosisio had much experience in journalism and was helpful in advising The Bell Ringer staff.
“He had been editor of newspapers so he certainly knew what it took to get a newspaper out and he was very good at showing his students what to do and helping them doing it… setting standards [and] answering questions of course, because that’s what an advisor does,” she said.
Amanda Main, a 2007 graduate of the communications program and current graduate student in the College of Education, was editor in chief of The Bell Ringer in spring of 2007. She said that Bosisio was great at teaching the students what they needed to know about reporting.
“He had a strong reporting background in journalism before he became a professor, so he was really good at holding us to high standards, professionally and ethically,” she said.
In addition to knowing Bosisio as advisor, Main knew him from various communication and journalism classes. She spoke of how he interacted with those he met in a thoughtful manner.
“He was a really caring person. His door was open to students,” she said.
She said that Bosisio was dedicated to helping others and spent time with disabled people after leaving the school.
Pamela Hayward, a communications professor, also stated Bosisio was committed to helping others.
“He did a lot of volunteer work,” she said. “I thought very highly of him. He was a friend and he was an excellent instructor.”
Hayward said that as a professor, he adapted his material to make learning enjoyable for students. She additionally said that The Bell Ringer consistently won awards under his role as advisor.
“He was always very dedicated to the students who were working for the newspaper,” she said.
Bosisio was known to travel and visited a number of countries. Hayward said that he was also involved with the study abroad program.
Speaking of the trips he took with students, she said, “They went to a number of locations on Study Abroad and really enjoyed it.”
According to Van Tuyll, Main and Hayward, Bosisio was well-admired by those who knew him.
“He talked the talk and walked the walk,” said Hayward. “He was the real thing.”
Bosisio’s obituary can be read here: https://www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Matthew-Bosisio .
Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.
“We are sincerely grateful for Matthew Bosisio’s contribution in overseeing this publication as well as his self-less generosity in all aspects. Our thoughts are truly with his family and loved ones.”
