The Norwood News team is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Marisa White, a longtime stalwart of the BronxNet family and Lehman College professor, who died on Wednesday, July 21.

 

Michael Max Knobbe, executive director of BronxNet Television, said it was with heartfelt sympathy and deep sadness that he was informing us that BronxNet had lost a longtime, beloved BronxNet family member. “Our condolences go out to her husband, two daughters and the entire family,” Knobbe wrote.

 

“Marisa served in many different roles at BronxNet since the 1990s, most recently as the director of creative services,” he added. Knobbe said White manifested a deep affinity for the television network’s educational mission, and that the positive impact she made on the lives of so many, just while working at BronxNet alone, was incalculable.

 

“Her work with students at BronxNet has resulted in thousands of young people attaining careers in media, and related industries,’ he continued. “Our multimedia partnership with WFUV, Fordham University, and the Norwood News was particularly near and dear to her.” Knobbe concluded, “Marisa will be deeply missed.”

 

Lehman College also released a statement following White’s passing. Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D., provost, senior vice president of academic affairs and student success and director at the CUNY Leadership Institute said he was saddened to share with the college that, “Professor White passed away surrounded by family on July 21, 2021 at the age of 54.”

 

He continued, “During her years of service at BronxNet, prior to joining the faculty full-time, Marisa worked with and inspired countless student interns and colleagues, and also shared her talent with the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) as an adjunct faculty member.”

 

Nwosu added, “Her commitment to teaching and the Lehman community was evident long before she joined JMS and she has left a legacy of great work. Marisa achieved what she described as her dream job when she became a full-time faculty member. Marisa was a consummate professional and a dedicated faculty member who cared deeply about our students and we will miss her greatly.”

Meanwhile, Tom O’Hanlon, associate professor and chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, said, “Marisa White’s commitment to teaching and to the Lehman community was evident long before she joined the Journalism and Media Studies department full-time.”

 

He added, “Her professional history, that includes winning an Emmy Award, says so much about her legacy of great accomplishments.  Marisa was a thoughtful and passionate role model who inspired countless students and her fellow faculty.    We will all remember her talents and her humanity. She was a wonderful friend to so many people and is gone too soon.”

According to an obituary posted on digitalmemory.com, White, of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, passed away surrounded by family on July 21, 2021 at the age of 54. She was born to the late Erminio and Grace (LoScalzo) Massimino on September 29, 1966 in The Bronx.

 

A video tribute to Marisa, celebrating her life, has been broadcast on BronxNet and can be watched on YouTube.