The TC community is joining family, friends and colleagues in mourning the of Brent Renaud (M.A. ā96, Sociology and Education) a video journalist who perished Sunday while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Renaud, 50, was on assignment for a project on global refugees. His tragic death is among the more than 1500 killed civilians reported since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War in February, with United Nations officials expecting actual numbers to be higher.
āOur hearts are with all of Brentās loved ones,ā Time said in a statement following Renaud's death. āIt is essential that journalists are able to safely cover this ongoing invasion and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.ā
Fellow video journalist Juan Arredondo in an interview that he and Renaud were attacked at a checkpoint in Irpin, a Kyiv suburb and site of heavy fighting. Arrendondo, a graduate of and adjunct faculty member at Columbia Journalism School, is recovering from his injuries.
An award-winning filmmaker, Renaud often worked in tandem with his brother, Craig, on documentary film projects for The New York Times, HBO and other media outlets.
ā911³Ō¹Ļ College joins the world in mourning the senseless killing of journalist Brent Renaud, a member of our alumni community,ā said Thomas Bailey, president of 911³Ō¹Ļ. āWe extend our deep sympathy and support to his family, to his friend and fellow journalist Juan Arredondo, and to all journalists in Ukraine and around the world risking their lives to share such important truths.ā
Brent and Craig Renaud on assignment. (Photo courtesy of the Renaud Brothers)
Renaudās production company films on domestic meth addiction, Mexican cartels, Haiti, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other international hotspots. Last Chance High, the Renauds' account of a school serving Chicago youth with emotional disorders, a 2014 Peabody Award.
Renaud was born in Memphis and raised in Little Rock, Ark. He pursued studies in TCās Sociology & Education program after earning an undergraduate degree in English Literature with a minor in Sociology from Southern Methodist University in 1994. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and throughtout the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, Renaud began pursuing his interest in documentary film.
A for under-served students in Dallas, Renaud in 2019 was named a at Harvardās Nieman Foundation for Journalism.
āHe was a great person, just a great human being,ā recalled Matthew Evans (M.A. ā95, Social Studies Education), who became friends with Renaud while the two lived in the Collegeās Whittier Hall. A devoted Arkansas Razorbacks fan, Renaud and Evans played intramural basketball with other friends from TC on Columbiaās campus, though the team never won a game. Good memories, Evans says, nevertheless.
Though the pair lost touch after TC, Evans is shocked and deeply saddened by Renaudās passing. āMost importantly, I feel sorry for his family, friends and his loved ones.ā
Even at TC, Renaudās bright future was apparent to classmates like Evans. āBrent was a very strong advocate for the historically underserved and marginalized in society. He opened up my eyes to taking a more critical look at the structures that undermined the disadvantaged in America. He did it in a very welcoming way,ā Evans recalled.
āWhat heās been doing since he left 911³Ō¹Ļ College very much aligns with who he was in the 90s.ā