Amanda Horton

Just over three short years ago, Michael J. Feeney, a notable alum of Delaware State University tragically, lost his life on January 31, 2016 at the age of 32 after suffering from complications due to a staph infection in his Kidneys.

Michael Feeney

Michael Graduated from Delaware State University in 2005 and was a well-known emerging journalist. During his career, he became known for his exclusive interviews with Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. In addition to interviews with these three stars, Feeney also covered the death of singer Whitney Houston back in 2012.

In addition to working as a journalist following his graduation from Delaware State, Michael also took time to mentor both high school and college students that shared the same passion for journalism as he did. In 2009, he accepted a position with the Daily News as a police reporter, and just one year later in 2010, he was named as the “Emerging Journalist of the Year” by the National Association of Black Journalists.

Though Feeney has passed, he will never be forgotten, especially by faculty and staff at his alma mater, Delaware State University. To honor his legacy, each year at DSU’s “Mass Comm Day,” the Michael J. Feeney Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alum in his honor. In all the excitement that takes place at “Mass Comm. Visual and Performing Arts Day,” such as panel discussions and a job fair, a luncheon takes place each year where the award is presented, and everyone takes a moment to remember the extraordinary life of Michael Feeney.

This year “Mass Comm. Visual and performing Arts Day”  took place on March 28th and 29th.  The tradition of the Michael J. Feeney award was once again honored as DSU faculty, staff, alumni, and students took a minute to remember Mr. Finney. Though he is gone, he will never be forgotten.

Michael Feeney at graduation