Bill Simon, professor of public relations and journalism at Biola University, passed away after a brief illness, university leaders announced Friday. The beloved professor, who devoted more than 30 years of his life in media, was 57. He shared his passion for public relations for public relations with students at Biola for nearly 10 years. 

“This is a difficult time for our community as we reflect on the life and influence Bill made on our community,” Biola President Barry H. Corey said Friday. “Bill was a passionate person who cared deeply for his students. He will be sorely missed. Please pray for his family, his faculty peers, his students and his countless friends and colleagues within Biola and beyond that the Lord would be their comfort and their hope.”

Simon was accomplished in the public relations and journalism field with experience extending into radio, television, print and digital. He helped advanced the communication needs of many notable organizations, nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies, including the California Space Authority, the Columbia Memorial Space Center, U.S. Department of Labor WIRED Grant, Orange County Newschannel (OCN), Regal Books (Gospel Light Publishing), NASA, Salem Communications Corporation and KBRT-Radio. Early in his career he interned at the Washington, D.C. newsroom for WNNE-TV and WNHV-Radio. In addition, he has worked with award-winning authors, writers, screenwriters, editors and designers. He edited more than 40 book titles in his lifetime including James Garlow’s “How God Saved Civilization.”

Biola students appreciated Simon’s class, especially his care for them and his passion for the subject matter.

“From my first day in Professor Simon’s intro class my freshman year, he commended me for my persistence, tenacity and charisma; but the irony is, I feel those are really things he gave to me,” said senior public relations student, Amy Dunham. “Professor Simon didn’t have any children but truly treated his students with the most care and paternal love I have ever seen. I am grateful the past four years Professor Simon has spent pouring into students at Biola just so happened to be the same four years I would spend here. The trajectory of my life would not be the same without him.”

Simon started at Biola in Fall 2010 as an adjunct professor and in Fall 2015 he took the role of full-time professor. He had a passion for growing the public relations program at Biola and was currently working on developing a new advertising concentration for the program. In a recent article in the student newspaper, The Chimes, Simon shared his four goals for 2019, one of which was “continuing the growth of the public relations department.”

“Bill exemplified a gracious and warm spirit, abundant creativity, and a heart of compassion to all who crossed his path,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Deborah Taylor. “I will always remember the day he scheduled an appointment to meet with me, stating that he simply wanted 15 minutes of my time to encourage me, affirm my leadership, and share some of the exciting things that were happening in the lives of his students. Bill radiated the joy of Christ and brought a positive outlook to every conversation. Whether he was teaching a class or advising a student, his commitment to the Lord Jesus and his sense of calling to impact the next generation of journalists was evident in his words and actions. We will sincerely miss his ready smile and collegial presence.”

Colleagues and students described Simon as a man of compassion, generous and someone who deeply loved the Lord.

“Bill’s legacy is one of authentic relationship with family, friends, colleagues and students. He was more than a professor to students; he was a mentor and friend. I shared more than an office wall with Bill,” said Chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Public Relations Tamara Welter. “I shared conversations that challenged me as a professor, as a human being. His deep care for all that he set his hand to was driven by a desire to honor his Creator. He will always be a part of my person and, I am sure, anyone he met during his service in this life.”

During his time at Biola he taught journalism and public relations classes and was instrumental in providing strategic ideas for the growth of the programs.

“Bill is the kind of professor students quickly grow to respect and love. From long office hour conversations to insightful lectures, he shaped the minds and souls of Biola students in truly profound ways,” said Carolyn Kim, director of the public relations program. “His robust and eclectic knowledge of history, literature, and media gives him a reputation of someone who you could go to for wisdom, prayer and deep community. His expertise, friendship, and impact brought glory to His King. I will dearly miss my friend.”

Simon would praise colleagues pursuing journalism and public relations as modern-day “shepherds of storytelling and influence.”

In 1982, he was inducted as a life-time member into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. Simon received a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill. and a bachelor's degree in English and Political Science from Westmont College.

Information about a memorial service will be announced in the days to come.