Christina Bradford, a lecturer at Kansas University’s School of Journalism, died Thursday morning of an apparent heart attack.

Bradford, 65, came to KU in 1999 after serving as managing editor of several papers, including the Detroit News, where she oversaw coverage leading to a 1994 Pulitzer Prize. David Guth, associate dean of journalism, said Bradford taught classes on reporting and editing and a community journalism class that interacted with the Journal-World and other area media.

“She was passionate about good teaching and good journalism and cared about her students and their success,” Guth said. “She was also incredibly important in our multicultural scholars program. That’s a huge loss.”

Bradford felt ill Wednesday and canceled her Thursday classes with the intention of going to the doctor. She died at a Kansas City hospital early Thursday morning. Guth said the school was working on a plan to continue those classes with a minimum disruption for students.

Chancellor Robert Hemenway issued the following statement: “On behalf of the entire university, I want to extend my condolences to Christy’s family and friends. Christy’s news expertise was a great benefit to the journalism school and its students, and she will be missed.”

Services are pending. Survivors include her husband, Ed Barton.