"Before You Shoot Off Your Mouth, Make Sure Your Brains Are Loaded." Abe Lincoln

  • Prof Bob
  • Update News
  • Diversity In Media
  • WAR & IMPACT
  • LGBT, Women & Catholics
  • Fonnie Rucker
  • Pride & Joys
  • Visionaries in Media
  • More
    • Prof Bob
    • Update News
    • Diversity In Media
    • WAR & IMPACT
    • LGBT, Women & Catholics
    • Fonnie Rucker
    • Pride & Joys
    • Visionaries in Media
  • Prof Bob
  • Update News
  • Diversity In Media
  • WAR & IMPACT
  • LGBT, Women & Catholics
  • Fonnie Rucker
  • Pride & Joys
  • Visionaries in Media
Former SJSU Journalism School Director & CNN Correspondent, San Francisco

pROFBOBSJSU.COM

Fmr. CNN Correspondent & San Jose State Journalism School Director

Fmr. CNN Correspondent & San Jose State Journalism School DirectorFmr. CNN Correspondent & San Jose State Journalism School DirectorFmr. CNN Correspondent & San Jose State Journalism School Director

 California State Lawmakers

Career Citation


TV Board of Govs

Hearst Award Emcee

YouTube



Email:

robert.rucker@sjsu.edu


Prof bob bio

Video

2024 Presidential Election Night

Huge voter turnout nationwide at the polls.

Trump Declares Victory

Late on Election Night, November 5, 2024

Kamala Harris Concedes

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Timely Info & PROF. BOB's PERSPECTIVES

Fall Presidential Debate: 67 Million+ Watched On TV

  

VIDEO REPLAY:  

ABC NEWS SPONSORED DEBATE

2024 Republican Convention

  Former President Donald Trump spoke for the first time at the Republican National Convention since his attempted assassination. 

An estimated 25 million people watched

this, the longest party nomination acceptance speech in American history.

2024 Democratic Convention

 The 2024 moment that millions around the country have been waiting for took place Thursday night at the July Democratic National Convention as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for the presidency. 

An estimated 26.3 million people watched.

Race for the white House

Election Surprise

Nov. 5th TV Coverage

Election Surprise

 

‘Shock and disbelief’: 

Hear how Harris’ campaign is reacting to results.


 CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez details the reactions of aides and allies within Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign.

DNC Highlights

Nov. 5th TV Coverage

Election Surprise

 Day two of the Democrats Convention took a celebratory tone, with a keynote speech from former President Barack Obama touting the accomplishments of the administration of President Joe Biden-- his former vice president-- and Kamala Harris. He also worked to call out the urgency of this election by saying voters must rally around Harris in an effort against another possible Trump presidency. 

Nov. 5th TV Coverage

Nov. 5th TV Coverage

Nov. 5th TV Coverage


A round up of the highlights from Election Night in America. From voter reactions, to battleground state results, magic wall math, and candidate reactions- we look at the key moments from election night as the US decides its next president. 

VP Kamala Harris

Trump @ NABJ 2024

Nov. 5th TV Coverage

ABC News:

 The vice president’s political career has been full of firsts. 


Also see her past debates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW_p-GzAwR0

Running Mate Bio

Trump @ NABJ 2024

Trump @ NABJ 2024

Who is Minnesota Governor

TIM WALZ?


His 2024 first campaign speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pttUWZQWJi8



Trump @ NABJ 2024

Trump @ NABJ 2024

Trump @ NABJ 2024

2024 Republican presidential nominee combative with a reporter at the National Associate of Black Journalists convention who asked about his past racist comments during a conversation about 2024 election issues 

San Jose state University - sad news

Dr. Kathleen Martinelli 1956 - 2024

Heartfelt sadness with the announcement that a beloved former SJSU Public Relations Professor and JMC School Director passed away on Sept. 7th. Kathleen joined the faculty a few months before I arrived, and we quickly became dear friends. She always had something good to say to encourage, and lift everyone's spirits! Her memorial is on Oct. 12th.


Outstanding Professor

Kathleen Martinelli was a wonderful human  being and a gifted media professional. She was a very popular and beloved professor, and an extraordinary JMC School colleague and academic adviser. Students and faculty greatly benefited from her attention to details, her wisdom, knowledge, and caring style.

Lasting Memories

She and I started teaching at SJSU within the same year back in the early 1990s. She was a blessing to have as a colleague and dear friend who was always so supportive of  me and my family. I pray now  that Kathleen be reunited with her beloved husband for a joy filled life eternal. They truly were a power couple of love!

iSRAELi/HAMAS WAR - pROFESSIONALS OPEN UP:

TV Journalists' Candid Talk / Middle East War Fallout


(Click link:)  YouTube Live Stream Recording May 30, 2024   

A lively hour-long interaction with reporters who've lived and worked in the region, and tell why feelings on both sides run deep  and fuel mistrust.  Exploring a nearly 4,000 year cultural history plagued by constant violence and political missteps. How recent developments have created a shocking humanitarian hunger and safety crisis that's raising tensions  and triggering global protests especially on America's college campuses. Some traditional freedom of assembly school administrators are now risking their jobs when local police are called in to restore order.


Moderator:

Bob Rucker
 

A former CNN National News Correspondent in San Francisco, Professor and Director Emeritus of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. For 37 years he taught journalism at two major American institutions of higher education, including the University of Illinois, UC. Rucker specialized in teaching broadcast journalism skills development and media student critical thinking about how to create safe environments for sharing insightful and candid conversations about sensitive diversity issues. Rucker is also a member of the the Board of  Governors for the San Francisco/NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

  

Distinguished Professional Panelists/Event Director 

& Co-Producer:


Adam Housley 

Reported during the Iraq War from Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan and the Persian Gulf. He has covered the war on terror from Pakistan and in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He was on air in Kuwait when the first missiles and warning sirens began on March 20, 2003, and boarded ships in the Persian Gulf along with U.S. Special Forces as they looked for illegal shipments of weapons into Iraq. Housley has reported for KCPM-TV (NBC) in Chico,  KTXL-TV in Sacramento from 1999 to 2001, and has received a Regional Associated Press  Award and a Regional Emmy Award for his reporting skills.

  

Lisette Poole 

A freelance journalist who spent 14 years living in the Middle East and North Africa, and covered war and peace issues for The Associated Press and The Times of London. Poole has taught at CSU East Bay for more than 24 years. Her masters degree thesis, "Crisis reporting: 91 days to the invasion of Iraq seen through U.S. elite media," focused on "understanding the type of pressures administration and military officials bring to bear on media professionals in times of war, and how news stories about countries seen as “enemies” affect that reporting.


Jim Jakobs  

Currently the News Director for KMPH-Television in Fresno. He began his career in 1995 at KCRA-Television in Sacramento, and did stints at KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, KOVR-TV in Sacramento, KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City and back to California where he worked for 7 years at KFSN-TV in Fresno. He’s passionate about promoting young professionals during the early stages of their careers and wants to help grow the Fresno influence through the local NATAS chapter.


Anthony Mata
Formerly Chief of Police in San Jose, CA. Mata is now the Investigations Bureau Chief for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. Mata has been monitoring police, public and college campus responses to nationwide protests since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War. As police chief, he worked closely with Bay Area college campus officials and oversaw local police responses to protests in America’s tenth largest city following the brutal death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.


Steve Shlisky - Event Director / NATAS SF Chapter Treasurer 


Odette Alcazaren-Keeley  - SF Board of Governors, Diversity Chair  


About Us:  EMMY AWARDS - San Francisco/Nor Cal Chapter

 

SJSU Journalism GRAD eARNs national RECOGNITION 2023

NBA Hall of Fame Sports Writer for ESPN with SJSU President  Cynthia Teniente-Matson.

MARC J. SPEARS was honored by his alma mater program, the  

Journalism and Mass Communications School with the prestigious 

William Randolph Hearst Foundation National Award in 2023.


Event special video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4SX93kBoJ8 



MARC J. SPEARS

was a student in Prof. Bob's SJSU media classes.  Spears graduated in 1995 with a  bachelor's degree in journalism. They stayed in touch and developed a mentor/advisor/ close friendship during Spears' exceptional professional career success.



When Marc J. Spears was in seventh grade, he set a goal to become a respected sports reporter. In this SJSU Journalism School Hearst Award video tribute, national sports figures, family and media colleagues celebrate Marc's skills and determination to see 

his dream come true!

Past sjsu HEARST AWARD RECIPIENTS (VIDEOS)

Outstanding Public Communications That Calmed The Nation

Prof. Bob produced the Hearst Foundation Award Ceremony on Zoom:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9563f9x5wOs&t=13s

Outstanding Public Service 1st Amendment Free Press

2018 Hearst Award Ceremony Live @ SJSU:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbUvkbBjtmM&t=9s

Remembering a life changing SJSU experience!

2020 Zoom Reunion of SJSU Alumni who traveled together through historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement as college media students. Goal: Seeing what it took for a Black man to be elected President of the United States in 2008. 

<--Justin Allegri went on that trip. He now broadcasts CAL sporting events.  

Flashback: 2009 Inauguration trip
Prof. Rucker Honored By TV Academy Professionals

Special recognition 2022

NATAS SF is dedicated to the advancement of excellence in television. Prof. Rucker has chaired the SF Chapter's Diversity Committee, and still engages academy members and students in timely, eye- opening and long overdue candid discussions.


Bob Rucker is currently a member of the local 

Board of Governors 

TV Academy Citation
Bay Area TV News Congratulations!

A CBS 5 San Francisco local news anchor salutes his former professor for nearly 40 years of distinguished service to broadcast journalism in television, university teaching and career advising. Several former students, from SJSU and Univ. of Illinois UC,  joined in this special celebration.

Bob's YouTube Channel

Enabling overdue TV Industry conversations

Understanding What 'Diversity Inclusion' Means

This very revealing new 2022 series by the San Francisco  & NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' breaks new ground as it candidly explores the life experiences and cultural concerns of professionals  working in television news.


February: Impact of George Floyd & BLM Global Protests


March: Women in Television News, Their History & Now


April: Muslims & Middle Eastern Journalists Concerns


May: Asian TV Journalists / Hate Experiences Revealed


June: LGBTQ Journalists, The"Invisible Diversity"on TV


Planned: Latino/Spanish Speaking Journalists Share


Prof. Bob Rucker produces these candid insider conversations, and draws out  thoughtful  interactions for better understanding of  what individual cultural identities bring to the TV industry. They also discover and inspire common ground for continuing discussions at broadcast stations nationwide . These eye opening talks help energize brainstorming in newsrooms looking to do more meaningful storytelling that informs, and connects with all viewers from every cultural community.


Read: Focus less on salary, more on inclusion


Find out more
A Blessed Family Of Faith & Love

Thanks to our wonderful family & friends worldwide, a lifetime of great joys & loving memories are showcased in an extended photo gallery / music video of  treasured times together. Click to see our video:


https://share.vidday.com/e/h-uz5cuj


Bob's YouTube Channel
My Beloved Sister Passes Away.

Honoring a lifelong ANGEL

Fonnie Rucker was born with Downs Syndrome 66 years ago. Doctors thought she'd  live only 25 years. For decades that smile and "beautiful light in her eyes" shined bright, capturing hearts worldwide. Fonnie's Memorial Mass, concelebrated by five San Jose, California  diocesan priests, was held September 17, 2022.

Never To Be forgotten
How We Started In TV News!

Fun recollectons in 2021

Eager to prove ourselves in the 1970s as young and feisty TV journalists in Des Moines, Iowa, we were eager to offer something new to local TV news viewers. We proudly remember how we "busted our tails" before moving on to successes in broadcasting & other professions.

Bob Later in Philadelphia

students SHARE THEIR diversity LIFE experiences:

For more than 25 years, San Jose State University students in Prof. Bob Rucker's "Diversity In Media" course were taught how to create a safe space for large group candid interactions about personal experiences related to race & ethnic cultures, gender, sexual orientation, religious cultures and disabilities. Since 2017, the television facility in the Journalism School enabled students, campus faculty and community leaders to record and share experiences as learning opportunities. 



Two Emmy Award Winning Former Students Guest Lecture:


2020 Prof. Bob retires at sjsu

Fond Memories Treasured.

In December, 2020, at the end of Prof. Bob's last MCOM 105: Diversity in Media class, many offer fun insights on his  30 years of teaching 

at San Jose State University

Videos:

Professional colleagues & more former student comments.


Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel 

See videos of his interviews & class guest interactions in 2020.


tools for co-Facilitating LIVERMORE Discussions on race

    Background information:

    What's Going On & Unique Reactions

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Screen TV episode: 

    Station 19:  "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4  Episode 12

    Video Streamed via YouTube


    Latinos and the Police


    100 years after Tulsa race massacre


    Diversity & Corporate America


    CNN reporter's thoughts on

    George Floyd killing,  2020


    Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.


    Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/3

    Screen TV episode: 

    Station 19:  "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4  Episode 12

    Video Streamed via YouTube


    Latinos and the Police


    100 years after Tulsa race massacre


    Diversity & Corporate America


    CNN reporter's thoughts on

    George Floyd killing,  2020


    Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.


    Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/31/21)

    Three Myths About Racism

    Creating Racially Just Workplaces

    Ten lessons for talking race
    Saying publicly "I'm a racist." 


    "Not the end of the story." Washington Post Opinion, 4/21/21 


    TV's "Friends" lack of diversity, 2021


    Facebook called "toxic workplace environment"  4/23/21


    Racial bias in the U.S. Military, 3/18/21


    CA pastor enables people to publicly say they are racist to help heal. 2/23/21

    Americans see Blacks, Asians & Latinos all facing discrimination


    Denver mayor talks about who they are and being a 'welcoming place,' 2017


    INFO & INSIGHTS ON:

    African Americans

    Arab & Middle Eastern Americans

    Asian Americans

    Haitians

    Latinos

    Native Americans



    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'

    How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:

     "HOW YOU SEE ME" 

    People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.


    CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:


    ARABS    ASIANS    BLACKS

    LATINO   WOMEN    MEN     LGBTQ

    DISABILITY   

    WHY LABELS MATTER

    UNDERSTA

    How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:

     "HOW YOU SEE ME" 

    People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.


    CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:


    ARABS    ASIANS    BLACKS

    LATINO   WOMEN    MEN     LGBTQ

    DISABILITY   

    WHY LABELS MATTER

    UNDERSTANDING

    THE VICTIM CARD


    Stats: Livermore's Population

    City Council Norms & Values


    Definitions of "Diversity Terms"


    Learn about the values and 

    traditions of others in the world:

    Cultural Atlas


    SCHOLARLY REPORTS:


    Robin DiAngelo - Author 

    Racial & Social Justice  Her Video: Explaining common excuses 

    Examining systematic racism 2021


    Stephen O. Roberts citations in:

    Apathy toward systems of racial advantage or denial they exist, 2020  


    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Insightful interactions on video:


    Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen  speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family.  (Announced her retirement in 2021)

     

    African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)


    Capt.

    Insightful interactions on video:


    Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen  speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family.  (Announced her retirement in 2021)

     

    African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)


    Capt. Washington speaks to SJSU Diversity in Media class, Fall 2020.


    Former San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia opens up about 2020 unrest  ( He's now the  Dallas police chief. )


    Meeting This Important Moment

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter

    America is finally ready to share.

    Learn how to approach friends &

    neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.


    Smithsonian: 

    How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity

    PBS Kids:
    Talking Race & Racial Identity


    Sesame Street Talks More

    Explicitly About Race


    Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:


    ABC's Grey's 

    America is finally ready to share.

    Learn how to approach friends &

    neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.


    Smithsonian: 

    How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity

    PBS Kids:
    Talking Race & Racial Identity


    Sesame Street Talks More

    Explicitly About Race


    Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:


    ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19 


    "White Guilt & Apologies -

    Hollywood cauldron of Race Issues."




    SPECIAL VIDEOS

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran African American Bay Area police captain shares personal experiences and feelings about a local Black Lives Protest in 2020. Due to Covid 19 pandemic health restrictions, interviews were recorded on Zoom.


    During the fall semester at San Jose State University,

    Diversity in Media students had an extraordinary follow-up class interaction with Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington.  


    Fremont, CA. police chief opens up about BLM in 2020.


    More videos on Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel  

    Tributes for Prof Bob Rucker.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    Veteran Black Police Officer on BLM.

    After teaching journalism and mass communications at San Jose State University for more than 30 years, Prof. Bob Rucker retired in December, 2020.


    Many Bay Area media friends, colleagues and former students  pay tribute, and congratulate Prof. Bob on the impact he has had on generations of journalists.


    This video was produced by former students Ryan Kern, Kiet Do and Kevin Rule, and include comments from  many others all across the United States.


    Copyright © 2024 San Jose State University - All Rights Reserved.

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    • Black Lives Matter 2020