Dedication to the Father of KOMU

Alumni gathered on Thursday in the Reynolds Journalism Institute for the dedication of the Dr. Edward C. Lambert Seminar Room.

Organized by two of Lambert’s former students from the graduating class of ’71, Paul Fiddick and Michael Wheeler, the dedication began with Dean Mills’ giving a short biography of Lambert.

After serving in them military, Lambert received his Ph. D. from the University of Missouri, staying to teach for many years. Lambert is most remembered for his founding of KOMU-TV in 1953, the television network that continues to serve Columbia with news. However, his students also remember him for his willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Throughout the ceremony, Lambert was described with such honoring titles as as kind man, genuine gentleman, and scholar.

Lambert’s family, including his wife and two daughters, was able to attend the event in his honor. When asked what the dedication meant to her, daughter Barbara Lambert Reichel answered with tears in her eyes, “The world.”

“I can’t tell you just how much this has filled my heart and soul,” she said.

Ella Lambert, now ninety-four years old and confined to a wheelchair, was also touched by the dedication.

“I feel so delighted to hear people appreciate him,” she said.

Fiddick and Wheeler decided to organize the dedication because of the closeness they felt to their former professor.

Wheeler mentioned that one of Lambert’s former students said he felt obligated to contribute to the dedication because, he was “one of Ed’s boys.”

Fiddick said that the process of the dedication began as simply that, a dedication to a great professor. But as the process progressed, it changed into something different.

“This became recognizing the humanity of Ed Lambert,” Fiddick said.

Fiddick believed Lambert needed to be acknowledged for the service he had given MU and his students.

“Ed’s contribution to the school had never been adequately recognized,” he said.

Hopefully now, with a room in the new Reynolds Journalism Institute named in his honor, Lambert will continually be recognized for his service to Mizzou for years to come.

Advertisement