John Lansing, a Bellarmine University graduate and longtime media executive, has died

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A former WAVE News photographer and Bellarmine University graduate who went on to lead several major news organizations has died.

John Lansing died on August 14 at his home in Wisconsin at the age of 67.

Lansing began his long journalism career at WAVE as a news photographer while taking night classes at Bellarmine. Lansing left Bellarmine before graduating to take a job in Grand Rapids, but earned his degree from BU in 2009. He served on Bellarmine’s board from 2010 to 2017, including a stint as vice chairman.

In addition to Grand Rapids, his professional career took him to Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, where he served in management positions.

In 2015, former President Barack Obama named Lansing the first chief executive officer of the television station, which was renamed the United States Agency for Global Media, according to Bellarmine University.

“John was a man of integrity. He was a wonderful ambassador for Bellarmine in his lifelong pursuit of journalistic excellence and his desire to advance democracy by informing the public,” said Dr. Susan Donovan, president of Bellarmine University. “We are saddened to hear of his death, and our hearts go out to his wife, Jean, and their children.”

In 2019, Lansing became CEO of National Public Radio and helped guide the network during the global pandemic.

In 2021, Lansing received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. That same year, he was also inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.

In 2023, Lansing was named Bellarmine University Alumni of the Year.