USC Annenberg mourns the death of George Ramos, a longtime adjunct journalism professor and Los Angeles Times reporter, editor and columnist. He was 63.

Ramos taught at USC Annenberg for many years and touched the lives of a generation of then-future reporters.

"After chasing stories all day for the L.A. Times, George Ramos would rush over to USC to teach evening classes in reporting," said adjunct journalism professor Frank Sotomayor, who worked with Ramos at the Times and USC Annenberg. "He was known as one of the toughest instructors at Annenberg but also one of the best. He was an adjunct for a number of years and influenced the careers and lives of untold number of students.

Minerva Canto (B.A. Print Journalism '93) said on the "Remembering George Ramos" Facebook page that Ramos taught her how to be a street-smart reporter with heart.

"I was fortunate that he was one of my first instructors at USC journalism school, and my career as a journalist has been the richer for it," Canto said. "He was a tough instructor who made his students work hard for their grades. Journalism has lost a great man. I hope many more of us will take on the challenge of doing as George spent so much time doing, helping mentor younger journalists and being active in groups such as CCNMA and NAHJ by volunteering our time."

Aida Bustos (B.A. Journalism '80) said on the "Remembering George Ramos" page that Ramos was fearless, fun and committed when she first met him as a USC student.

"Through his friendship, and his work, he and his fellow L.A. Times Latino journalists showed me that it was possible to be a good journalist and be Latino," Bustos said. "He served for many years on the CCNMA board, which for a time afforded me the chance to see him. George was still fearless of ruffling feathers, committed to bringing up new generations of journalists, and, of course, still having fun."

Ramos, a two-time president of CCNMA, helped professor Félix Gutiérrez bring the organization to USC.

"I'm asking friends of George to join me in making a donation to CCNMA, an organization that he loved, in George's honor," said Sotomayor, who wrote a tribute to Ramos in the LA Observed.

People interested in making a donation can find a form on the CCNMA website.

Sotomayor's LA Observed tribute to Ramos 
LA Times obituary 
NAHJ mourns the passing of George Ramos (by alumnus Manuel de la Rosa)