Ralph L. Lowenstein Papers

Ralph L. Lowenstein (1930-) was born in Danville, VA. He received his B.A. from Columbia College, Columbia University, in 1951; his M.S. from the School of Journalism, Columbia University, in 1952, and his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1967.

Dean Lowenstein worked for the United Press (1949-1952), the Danville (VA) Register & Bee (1952), the El Paso Times (1954-1957), and the CBS Morning News (1975-1976). He has taught at the University of Texas at El Paso (1956-1965), the University of Missouri School of Journalism (1965-1976), Tel Aviv University (1967-1968), and the University of Florida (1976-1995). At the University of Florida, he was Dean of the College of Journalism and Communications from 1976-1994.

He is the author of several books, including Bring My Sons from Far; Media, Messages, and Men; and Pragmatic Fund-Raising for College Administrators and Development Officers.

Dean Lowenstein received numerous awards, including the Pall Mall Big Story Award (1956), the Distinguished Service to Journalism Award from the Journalism Alumni of Columbia University (1957), the Society for Professional Journalists' Distinguished Service Award for Research about Journalism (1971), the State of Israel 30th Anniversary Award for Service to Jewish Causes (1978), the Florida Scholastic Press Association Award for Service to High School Journalism (1986), and the Freedom Forum Medallion and $10,000 reward for Journalism Administrator of the Year (1994). He was nominated to the Florida Freedom of Information Hall of Fame in 1997. He is the recipient of the American Jewish Historical Society's Emma Lazarus Statue of Liberty (2011).

Dean Lowenstein's service to the profession included serving on the Board of Directors, Florida First Amendment Foundation (1984-1994); the First Amendment Committee, National Association of Broadcasters (1984-1988); the Board of Directors, Florida Press Association (1988-1990); the Accrediting Committee, Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (1988-1990); and as President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (1990-1991).

In addition to his professional service, Dean Lowenstein also worked with and for many community organizations, including, but not limited to, the following. He was the Chairman of the Center for Jewish Studies Faculty Advisory Committee (1977-1980) and the Faculty Advisor for the Jewish Student Union (1976-1986), both at the University of Florida. He was also the Founder and Counselor for the University of Texas-El Paso Hillel (1958-1965). He served as the Chairman of the ADL Committee, El Paso, Texas (1962-1965) and was a State Board Member, ADL for Missouri (1940-1976) and Florida (1980-1997).

Some of his many accomplishments at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications include establishing the the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and the Knight Division for Scholarships, Career Services & Multicultural Affairs, and WUFT-FM. He also oversaw the construction of the Flanagan Wing in Weimer Hall. Under his leadership, the College's Public Relations department was accredited and the doctoral program in mass communication was launched.

Dean Lowenstein married his wife, Bronia Levenson, in 1955. The couple have two children and six grandchildren.

The Samuel Proctor Oral History Program at the University of Florida conducted an oral history interview with Dean Lowenstein. The interview may be read here.