KU journalists mourn Molly Ivins

Witty political commentary may never be the same.

With the death Wednesday of Molly Ivins, journalism lost a strong voice. And that voice will be remembered at Kansas University.

This year’s honoree

Richard C. Clarkson, a 1956 graduate of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas University, will be honored Feb. 9. Clarkson, a nationally known photojournalist who now works in Denver, will receive the William Allen White Foundation 2007 National Citation during a ceremony on the KU campus.The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.An exhibit of Clarkson’s work is on display on the second floor of KU’s Stauffer-Flint Hall, home to the journalism school.

Ivins, 62, who died from breast cancer, was recognized in 2001 with KU’s prestigious William Allen White Foundation National Citation Award.

Ann Brill, dean of KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, said Ivins exemplified the ideals that White stood for during his life.

“It didn’t matter whether you agreed with her or not,” Brill said. “The world has lost a very excellent voice for political commentary.”

Ivins, a Texas liberal, was known for poking fun at politicians from both major political parties. More than 400 newspapers published her syndicated columns.

One of her best-selling books was “Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush.” Despite her biting commentary on her fellow Texan, Ivins received praise from President Bush and others.

Ivins also worked as a co-editor for the Texas Observer.

When Ivins visited Lawrence in 2001 for the awards ceremony, one KU professor said even the weather was one of a kind.

“It was an ice storm. It closed everything down,” KU journalism professor Rick Musser said Thursday. “You know what? We filled the auditorium. There was no place to sit, because Molly Ivins was speaking.”