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January 17, 2025

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

It is with great sadness that the University announces that Dr. Myrton Running Wolf, a longtime professor in the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, passed away earlier this week.

Dr. Running Wolf’s journey in becoming a respected member of our faculty began 30 years ago with his graduation from the University with a degree in Mathematics/Chemistry. Since that time, through a broad range of professional experiences that included acting and filmmaking, he was able to find innovative and inspiring ways to teach journalism to a new wave of Reynolds School students who were eager to learn from such a dynamic professional.

Dr. Running Wolf joined the RSJ faculty in 2017, having earned an MFA in Film/TV production from USC, as well as an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University and a Ph.D. from Stanford. As a Professor of Race and Media in the Reynolds School, his research focused on methodologies for increasing the inclusion of marginalized populations in mainstream media production.

Dr. Running Wolf’s work extended throughout our campus and into the community, as he served as an instructor for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources’ American Indian/Alaska Native Lake Tahoe college prep camp, an instructor for the University’s Office of Indigenous Relations’ LEAD program, as well as numerous instructing roles for other area educational groups. For more than 20 years, Dr. Running Wolf was an award-winning independent media producer, director and writer.

In August 2018, the University was honored to have Dr. Running Wolf deliver the keynote address during our New Student Opening Ceremony at Lawlor Events Center. Dr. Running Wolf’s speech that day was equal parts filled with seriousness and levity, mixed with a larger message about the value of relationships in finding ultimate success:

“That's how you do it, my friends, when the anxiety comes. You reach out to those people who are standing right next to you, going through what you're going through, doing it with you. … Start forming support systems that will lift you up when you fall ... you'll know you're there where one of them falls and you catch them, set them back on their feet, dust them off, and help them start again. Connect with human beings, real human beings.”

On behalf of the entire University, I wish to express our condolences to Dr. Running Wolf’s family, as well as the faculty, staff and students of the Reynolds School of Journalism, who treasured Myrt’s energy, enthusiasm and love of teaching. Details for a memorial service honoring Dr. Running Wolf will be shared soon through the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism.

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President