The 麻豆原创 community is joining family, friends and colleagues in mourning the of Brent Renaud (M.A. 鈥�96, Sociology and Education) a video journalist who perished Sunday while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Renaud, 50, was on assignment for a project on global refugees. His tragic death is among the more than 1500 killed civilians reported since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War in February, with United Nations officials expecting actual numbers to be higher.
鈥淥ur hearts are with all of Brent鈥檚 loved ones,鈥� Time said in a statement following Renaud's death. 鈥淚t is essential that journalists are able to safely cover this ongoing invasion and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.鈥�
Fellow video journalist Juan Arredondo in an interview that he and Renaud were attacked at a checkpoint in Irpin, a Kyiv suburb and site of heavy fighting. Arrendondo, a graduate of and adjunct faculty member at Columbia Journalism School, is recovering from his injuries.
An award-winning filmmaker, Renaud often worked in tandem with his brother, Craig, on documentary film projects for The New York Times, HBO and other media outlets.
鈥淭eachers College joins the world in mourning the senseless killing of journalist Brent Renaud, a member of our alumni community,鈥� said Thomas Bailey, president of 麻豆原创. 鈥淲e extend our deep sympathy and support to his family, to his friend and fellow journalist Juan Arredondo, and to all journalists in Ukraine and around the world risking their lives to share such important truths.鈥�
Brent and Craig Renaud on assignment. (Photo courtesy of the Renaud Brothers)
Renaud鈥檚 production company films on domestic meth addiction, Mexican cartels, Haiti, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other international hotspots. Last Chance High, the Renauds' account of a school serving Chicago youth with emotional disorders, a 2014 Peabody Award.
Renaud was born in Memphis and raised in Little Rock, Ark. He pursued studies in 麻豆原创鈥檚 Sociology & Education program after earning an undergraduate degree in English Literature with a minor in Sociology from Southern Methodist University in 1994. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and throughtout the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, Renaud began pursuing his interest in documentary film.
A for under-served students in Dallas, Renaud in 2019 was named a at Harvard鈥檚 Nieman Foundation for Journalism.
鈥淗e was a great person, just a great human being,鈥� recalled Matthew Evans (M.A. 鈥�95, Social Studies Education), who became friends with Renaud while the two lived in the College鈥檚 Whittier Hall. A devoted Arkansas Razorbacks fan, Renaud and Evans played intramural basketball with other friends from 麻豆原创 on Columbia鈥檚 campus, though the team never won a game. Good memories, Evans says, nevertheless.
Though the pair lost touch after 麻豆原创, Evans is shocked and deeply saddened by Renaud鈥檚 passing. 鈥淢ost importantly, I feel sorry for his family, friends and his loved ones.鈥�
Even at 麻豆原创, Renaud鈥檚 bright future was apparent to classmates like Evans. 鈥淏rent was a very strong advocate for the historically underserved and marginalized in society. He opened up my eyes to taking a more critical look at the structures that undermined the disadvantaged in America. He did it in a very welcoming way,鈥� Evans recalled.
鈥淲hat he鈥檚 been doing since he left Teachers College very much aligns with who he was in the 90s.鈥�