This article was written by Noreen Premji.
The School of Journalism and Media at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, mourns the passing of John Noble Wilford, one of UT’s most distinguished alumni and one of the world’s most celebrated science journalists. Wilford died December 8 at age 92, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Wilford served as the college’s first Julia G. and Alfred G. Hill Chair of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Medical Writing from 1989 to 1990.
He’s a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner: in 1984 for his coverage of scientific and technological issues, and in 1987 for his reporting as part of the New York Times team on the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion and its aftermath. He may be best known for his coverage of America’s first moon landing.
A Lifelong Connection to UT
Wilford earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from UT in 1955 and a master’s degree in political science from Syracuse University in 1956.
Wilford’s reporting on the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 became a landmark moment in science journalism. His front-page coverage of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon provided a vivid account of one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Over his six decades with The New York Times, Wilford also chronicled breakthroughs in archaeology, paleontology, human origins, and space exploration.
Wilford remained deeply connected to UT throughout his life. He delivered the first Alfred and Julia Hill Lecture on Science, Society, and the Mass Media in 1989 titled, Science as Exploration. Professor Emeritus Paul Ashdown recounts Wilford’s legacy on the School of Journalism and Media as bringing international distinction to science writing.
“Wilford was a great gentleman who respected our students and faculty,” Ashdown said. “He never forgot his small-town roots and was a wonderful front porch storyteller. He had time and a tale for everyone. Few, in my experience, had such a broad range of interests.”
Professor Emeritus and former Hill Chair of Excellence Mark Littmann invited Wilford to deliver a second Hill Lecture in 2000 titled Science Journalism Across Two Centuries.
Littmann recounted, “Wilford was always extremely kind to me, very supportive of the School of Journalism and Media, and vastly knowledgeable about science and exploration. His contributions to the university and the world of science are everlasting.”
Wilford remains the only person at the college to deliver two Hill Lectures.
In 2009, CCI honored him with its highest alumni recognition—the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award. Wilford was inducted into the UT Alumni Academic Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville during the 2014 CCI spring commencement ceremony. He also served on CCI’s Board of Visitors.
A Legacy Remembered
Wilford’s legacy is one of continued curiosity and a dedication to understanding and advancing scientific discovery. In the first Hill Lecture of the series, Science as Exploration, Wilford reflected on the importance of science and exploration:
“These are explorations, but why are we doing it? It is part of our culture, yes, but why are we doing it? It is because we really want to know who we are and where we are in the universe. It is an exercise of the mind and nourishment for the human spirit. So science is more than just trying to figure out how things work, how to make a better gum wrapper. Science is exploring to find out who we are and where we are and possibly what our future is.”
Learn more about Wilford’s life and legacy in this article published by the Torchbearer.